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19. There have been numerous outbreaks of violence in the boat people camps in Hong Kong. There is also mounting resentment among the local community about the financial and social burden imposed by the boat people problem. Hong Kong's Legislative Council is reluctant to continue voting funds for boat people accommodation without the prospect of an effective solution to the problem.
20. The Geneva International Conference Steering Committee has so far failed to agree on what should be done with those who are not
A consensus that refugees but who do not volunteer to return. mandatory repatriation could begin on 1 July 1990 was blocked by the United States, which insisted after 1 January 1991, and Vietnam which proposed 1 October 1990. We are concerned that any moratorium will simply encourage a further unmanageable outflow from Vietnam during 1990, rather than act as a deterrent.
21. Mr Francis Maude, Minister of State, visited Hanoi from 18-21 February for bilateral discussions with the Vietnamese. Agreement was reached that the number of volunteers returned to Vietnam could rise to around 1,000 a month by 1 May 1990. Negotiations on non-voluntary repatriation are still continuing.
Bill of Rights
22. As part of the process of rebuilding confidence in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Government are curr itly drafting a Bill of Rights which will be published for a twc month public consultation period. on 16 March. The aim of the Bill is to give clear effect in a single local law to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Once the Bill has been passed, anyone who believes his rights under the Covenant have been infringed will be
local courts. The Joint Declaration and able to seek redress in the
the Basic Law provide for the continued application of the Covenant to Hong Kong after 1997.
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