DEATH PENALTY
LINE TO TAKE
SANDIDAMRZAVA
1
•
The problem in the Tsoi case was a very special one
arising from the debate on the death sentence in Northern
Ireland.
[There
Abolitionist feeling was very strong in the House.
People argued
There was also an element of anti-racialism.
that to spare a European in Ireland and to hang a Chinese in
Hong Kong would be a sign of racial prejudice and colonialism.
2. An execution in Hong Kong would therefore have led to a
prolonged, publicised and bitter running battle, in which
Hong Kong would have been the subject of damaging political
controversy. This would not have been in the interest of
either country. H,K,
3. We wish to confirm clearly that what happened over the
death penalty in the Tsoi case has no bearing on general issues
concerning Hong Kong. We have no intention of ignoring Hong
Kong's fundamental interests, or failing to consult fully.
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
19 June 1973