CONFIDENTIAL
Sick Prisoners
In May this year we learned from other
sources that local Hong Kong Communists were
discussing with Peking the question of Sick
Prisoners. In the same month two delegations
visited the Colonial Secretariat on behalf of
are
sick prisoners. We informed by the
Colonial Secretariat that six donfrontation
Prisoners (including one of those mentioned by the delegations) are now suffering from
severe illnesses. In brief, their names,
sentences and illnesses are:
-
Chau Chu-Ming (6 years: cancer),
Yeung Nai (8 years: severe neurological pain),
Chan Sai-Kit (8 years: blindness in both eyes
and severe headache),
Fu Yuk-Fat (9 years: sex chromosomal
disturbances and congenital
haemolytic
olytic anaemia),
Li Fuk-Chun (10 years: severe abdominal pain
Tsui
from bullet wound),
Wobb Chun (9 years: multiple burns and
urinary complaints).
We have asked Hong Kong to consider whether
in their view they are eligible for release on
medical grounds. We have had no reply so far.
3. The case for release of these prisoners
on medical grounds is, in our view, compelling.
January
In Februry 1969 two prisoners were released
on health grounds with little apparent public
December
a Communist prismer,) reaction. In fotober 1969/T'ang Chuen, died in
prison; this elicited a protest from Peking.
Prison Rule 69A specifically denotes the health
of the prisoner as a reason for early release.
CONFIDENTIAL
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