TNAG-2324-FCO40-3368-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-Vietnamese-boat-people-1991 — Page 29

1991-04-24 23:07

G.1.S

HKC241/4

P.02/04

Ms Barrett. L.A. Mr Bruce SEAD

Kar BOR: VBP.

PM 2014.

53

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991

ZCZC

30 APR 1991

fa.

GIS 33

AMENDMENT BILL ENSURES GOVT'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT

ARRANGEMENTS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

**

*

FROM

NUMBER OF THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WILL MAKE A

THE GOVERNMENT'S AMENDMENTS TO THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE TO ENSURE ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT THE ARRANGEMENTS AGREED INTERNATIONALLY FOR

VIETNAM,

SET DOWN TREATMENT OF ASYLUM SEEKERS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION.

THE

AS

IN

THE

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY. · (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.

SAID: OUTLINING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL AIMS OF THE BILL, MR ASPREY

IS DETAINED PENDING "THE FIRST IS TO ENSURE THAT, WHERE A PERSON DETERMINATION OF HIS STATUS AS A REFUGEE OR NOT, THE REASONABLENESS OF THE LENGTH OF DETENTION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF AL- CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WAITING TO BE SCREENED, AND THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES.

IS NOT A "THE SECOND IS TO ENSURE THAT, WHERE A PERSON WHO REFUGEE IS DETAINED PENDING REMOVAL FROM HONG KONG, THE REASONABLENESS OF THE LENGTH OF DETENTION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED HAVING REGARD TO THE SUCU AVAILABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPATRIATION, AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH A. PERSON MAS AVAILED HIMSELF OF THOSE ARRANGEMENTS.

"THE THIRD IS TO ENSURE THAT ANY VIETNAMESE PERSON WHO ARRIVES REQUIRES PERMISSION TO IN HONG KONG WITHOUT A VISA AND THEREFORE

CO-OPERATE WITH REMAIN CANNOT AVOID DETENTION SIMPLY BY REFUSING TO NORMAL IMMIGRATION EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS.

IN

"THE FOURTH IS TO PUT BEYOND DOUBT OUR POWER TO TRANSFER PEOPLE BETWEEN CENTRES, INCLUDING FOR REASONS OF ORDER OR GOOD MANAGEMENT THE DETENTION CENTRES.

OR

ON

AN

"FINALLY, THE BILL WILL MAKE CLEAR THAT ALL THE DECISIONS THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD, AND NOT ONLY ITS DECISION APPELLANT'S STATUS, ARE NOT IN THEMSELVES JUDICIALLY REVIEWABLE."

MR

FOR RSTWEEN

THE NEED DETAIL ASPREY ALSO

IN GREATER EXPLAINED ADEQUATE POWERS OF DETENTION, AND FOR THE TRANSFER OF PERSONS CENTRES IN THE INTEREST OF GOOD ORDER AND MANAGEMENT.

CLEAR THAT

HE MADE IT GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIVE.

DETENTION

WAS

OF NOT

ITSELY

THE

"QUITE

THE

CONTRARY,

OUR OBJECTIVE

RESETTLEMENT IS

OR

AGREED

REPATRIATION AS APPROPRIATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY AND ACCEPTED ARRANGEMENTS.