THE operation to transfer 1,500 Vietnamese from Whitehead Detention Centre to High Island was condemned last night by refugee concern groups, while legislators questioned the heavy-handedness of the police.
Refugee Concern spokesman Rob Brook said the use of tear gas on the rioting Vietnamese - and the possibility of bringing in police dogs to track down escapees this morning - was provocative.
'More than 70 per cent of the refugees were women and children,' he said.
'To use tear gas was excessive. It is an image that will look terrible for Hong Kong around the world.' There is also concern that yesterday's clashes will influence the US Congress in deciding whether to allow the entry of 20,000 Vietnamese for resettlement before 1997.
The proposal has already been criticised by the British and Hong Kong governments as well as refugee groups, who fear repatriation effort will be undermined and that more refugees will pour out of Vietnam in the hope of finding a better life in the United States.
Lawyer Pam Baker said the authorities had badly mishandled the move, claiming the refugees should have had a week's notice to allow their anger to subside.
Legislator Miriam Lau Kin-yee approved of the transfer to speed up the closure of Whitehead but questioned the heavy use of tear gas.
