TNAG-2297-FCO40-3321-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IRO)-Sub-Gro-1991 — Page 148

HK's

Item 3 Vietnamese Refugees*

Consideration of the human rights issues raised by policy on Vietnamese refugees (VR's) falls under 3

distinct heads :

(i)

(i)

<<

the closed camp policy

screening of post 15th June 1988 arrivals

(iii) detention of those Vietnamese Boat People (VBP's)

screened out as non-refugees after screening.

This paper will address each in turn.

Closed camps

115,

13A (1) of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap.

previous resident

Section

provides

that

any

of Vietnam or

child of such a person who arrived in Hong Kong after 2nd who was born after 31st December 1982 may be refugee centre specified by an immigration 1982, all such persons have been detained

July 1982 or

detained

officer.

in

2

Since

in closed centres pending resettlement.

closed

in

FCO are well aware of the arguments which arise

relation

the to

will not camp policy and they therefore be rehearsed here. Furthermore, criticism of the existing policy can now be countered by pointing out that HKG has undertaken to liberalise the closed camps as soon as circumstances permit. Any breaches of international

obligations

which

present

are therefore

at

The first concrete steps have

arise may

shortly to be rectified.

been

to

taken already as evidenced in the measures taken educate VR children in refugee schools outside the closed centres.

*

1

Please also see para. 4 of the updates to the Second Report.