URGENT NEWS
OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

Sing Tao Daily News
Thursday, May 19, 1994

Another Forty-Three Boat People Wounded Themselves

(Special report by our press) Another forty-three boat people of the Whitehead Camp wounded their own bodies yesterday. Three of them are still in the hospital. The spokesperson of the Secretariat of Security stated that they are concerned about the cases of the boat people wounding themselves. However, he emphasized again that any action by the boat people could not change the repatriation policy laid down by the Government.
According to Correctional Service Department figures, totally forty-three boat people wounded their bodies with sharp objects yesterday. One of them was from the Man Yee Refugee Camp, and the rest from the Whitehead Camp. Twenty-five of the forty-three casualties were treated in the clinic in the Whitehead Camp, while eighteen were sent to the hospital for treatment. Among them, fifteen have been discharged, but the remaining three have to be hospitalized for observation. Most of these boat people used razors or self-made weapons to wound themselves. The inflicted positions included upper limbs, head and abdomen.

[Caption: Yesterday, more refugees from the Whitehead Camp wounded themselves, and was conveyed to the hospital for treatment. (Pictured by Zhi Der Hsie)]

This is very precious information. Please distribute immediately to various media and influential persons concern about the refugees.

URGENT NEWS
OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

[Bulletin - Aiding The Au Lac Refugees In Hong Kong]

The Hong Kong Government Remains Firm. Further News Of 43 Au Lac Refugees Committing Suicide

In succession to the mass suicide incident of Vietnamese refugees two days ago, another forty-three Vietnamese refugees attempted to end their lives yesterday. At such a moment, any conscientious person would be striving hard for a solution capable of saving them. However, instead of solving the problem with a flexible attitude, the Hong Kong Government repeatedly stressed that any action by the Vietnamese refugees could not change the fixed repatriation policy! Their attitude is so rigid, and they treat human lives so lightly. We find it hard to believe this is a so-called democratic country, a free government. Since our Association keep receiving SOS letters from the refugees, we understand their longing for freedom, and their urgent need for spiritual consolation. Therefore, we have appealed to the Hong Kong Government many times to suspend the forcible repatriation at this stage. They may employ a moderate method, or open the refugee camps for the caring bodies to counsel the refugees in the camps, and sooth their mind. This is beneficial both to the international reputation of Hong Kong, and for securing the refugees' lives. The Hong Kong Government preferred not to listen, but remain cold blooded and stern. Even when human lives are at stake now, they are still playing with their bureaucratic talks. Are they satisfied only when the refugees were deliberately driven to their graves?