Overseas, the strategy is expected to draw criticism, particularly from the USA where there are serious reservations about the repatriation of non-refugees.
Additionally, complaints are already being raised by the UNHCR and other human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, that the screening procedures are neither thorough nor fair. Swift screening procedures for new arrivals will focus greater attention on the alleged faults of the system and lead to more criticism by the human rights groups.
PUBLICITY
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No publicity will be arranged for the time being, and no Legislative Council brief will be issued. A line will be prepared on the dual track screening system in case word of it leaks out.
After agreement has been reached with Hanoi, a press conference will be held. It will be stressed that the strategy lies within the framework of the CPA and that it is our intention to return quickly all VBP found to be non-refugees, and, if necessary, to shorten the present screening and review procedures for this purpose. The switch of emphasis to new arrivals is a tactical one, and those already in the camps will still be repatriated if screened Efforts will be made to arrange special publicity in Vietnam to get the message across to the people that without a genuine claim to refugee status they are undertaking a futile journey. Internationally, we shall stress that the CPA endorses screening and the logical outcome of this process is that non-refugees must be repatriated. We shall highlight the fact that all returnees will be monitored on return to ensure they are treated fairly and allowed to reintegrate back into the community as agreed with the Hanoi authorities.
out.
(The Secretary for Security MR A. P. ASPREY, the Director of Immigration MR L.M. Y. LEUNG, the Refugee Co-ordinator,
MR M.J.J. HANSON and Deputy Crown Solicitor MR I.G.M. WINGFIELD will attend for this item).
18 January 1990
(SRD 401/1/C)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
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