(17259) Dd.897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863 (16941) DA.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS'MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
a. British Virgin Islands
The only execution for murder to take place in recent
times was in 1972. Other men have had death sentences
commuted to life imprisonment which they are now
was
serving. The most recent of such commutations,
a decision taken against the advice of local hinisters
in March 1973. It has sparked off demonstrations in
Tortola and has resulted in a petition to the Secretary
of State calling for the removal of the Governor
(though there are other reasons motivating the
petitioners). This has yet to be considered.
Popular support for the retention of the mandatory
death sentence for murder is obviously very strong,
although most religious leaders disapprove of capital
punishment. To introduce the question of abolition
of the death penalty in the BVI at this stage would
risk acerbating an already difficult situation.
C. Cayman Islands
The death sentence has not been imposed during the last
10-15 years. A majority of the legislature would
however be likely to oppose abolition of the death
sentence.
f. fiona hong
The numbers of executions in Hong Kong since 1956 have
been as follows:
1956
5
1964
О
1957
5
1965
O
1958
4
1966
2
1959
7
1967
0
1960
3
1968
о
1961
5
1969
0
1962
4
1970
0
1963
0
1971
С
1972
0
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