TNAG-2063-FCO40-2941-Vietnamese-boat-people-repatriation-1990 — Page 109

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ỦY BAN ĐIỀU HỢP TRANH ĐẤU CHO NGƯỜI

TY NAN VIỆT NAM

ACTION & COORDINATION COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

Chakman:

Mr H11AM Nọọc Binp

General Sacratúry: Mr Tun That Un Treasurer: Mr Tran The Minh Hai

6 February 1990

Mr Peter Lloyd

RECEIVED ON

59 FEB 1990

Under Secretary of State POWE SECRETARY

The Home Office

Queen Ann's Gate

LONDON

PRIVATE

26 Vineyard Close

London SE6 4PH

Dear Mr Lloyd

I write to follow up our brief conversation at a Conference on Refugees on 30 January 1990 at Westminster Hall.

The issue is a desirable stand against forced repatriation of Asylum Seekers whose claim is not yet treated thoroughly and the review process of such claim has not been exhausted.

I am moved and hopeful when you stated so clearly in your speech at this Conference that "No Asylum Seekers should be forcibly removed until their claims are thoroughly assessed and reviewed". I am moved because I believe in what you said and the sincerity with which you said it.

I am hopeful that such an honourable stand as yours would gain influence in other Government Departments. Currently there is an urgent issue of Vietnamese Asylum Seekers in Hong Kong who are being forced to return to where they fled from in desperation for freedom. As Hong Kong is still a Crown Colony and as such, part of this Government's responsibility, may I ask you to ensure that there would be consistency with your view in the Foreign Ministry, on repatriation? I repeat my question at the Conference: "Can we not force people to return to Vietnam against their will until their claims are properly assessed, processed and considered?".

I gravely note your comment that such process, in order to be thorough, will necessarily take a long time. Like you, I prefer thoroughness than the current approach, i.e. summarily disposing of the problem for administrative convenience.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours hopefully

Trefully

Minh Phuoc (Ms)