A few weeks ago, 119 Vietnamese refugees of Chinese origin were arrested in Hong Kong on charges of illegal entry into this British colony. Amnesty International, both in London and Hong Kong, began negotiations with the governments of Sweden, Holland, France, Australia and Macao in order to save the refugees from being deported back to South Vietnam and the repressive regime of General Thieu.
Although the Governor of Hong Kong agreed lo enter into these negotiations, the colonial Government nevertheless decided on denortation, claiming they had received a promise from the South Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong, Vuờng Hoa Doc, that the refugees would not be severely punisbed, would not be given the death penalty and that the men, of whom there were 92 among the refugees, would not be inducted into the FREE ALL On 17 June, despite a demonstration by friends and relatives at the airport, two planes sent from South Vietnam look to prue retappes pack to sapon. where they were incarcerated on the notorinus Con Son Islind. - the prison famous for its tiger cages and other abuses.
The only government to have condemned this deportation has been the Provisional Revolutionary Government of bout yicham, moe present Labour Government recognises the vicious Thieu regime, and now shows what this recog ninon means Dy handong over the nepless refugoes to his torturing gaolers.
The left in Britain has done virtually nothing about this incident a clear example of the Labour Government regime. This tailure to do anything is all the more regrettable when one considers the campaign against the 1954-70 Labour Government's complicity in the Vietnam war, In those years the Labour Government dare not do anything so blatant.
A letter from Chris Mullen in a recent issue of Labour Weekly made a vigorous protest about the deportation and demandwant to know the Identity of the Forcien Office person responsible. represent Labour Party policy? If not, the disgusting hypocrite responsible should not he left to the mercy of his consclence. He shouk be dismissed immediately.
union bodies, trades councils, and constituency Labour parties, must demand:
were allowed to he deported 2, the immediate release of the refugees Thieu regime, and recognition of the PRG, Wlach enjoys the support of the vast majority of the population of South Vieinam.
any orgahisation passing resolutions along these lines. Please send this information to Helen Faraday, c/o Red Weekly: HELEN FARADAY The letest issue of Inprecur has a fell account of this incident. Available from: Red Books, 97 Caledonian Roed, London NI.
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