1
Luchael
Shall I destroy
this too?
HKIOD
amnesty international
International Secretariat
LAETY
SCO/CH/SW
REF.
Mr. David Ennals,
Minister of State,
REF.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
LONDON S.W.1.
Dear David,
53 Theobald's Road
London WC1X 8SP
Telephone: 01-404 5831 Telegrams: Amnesty London
11th June, 1974,
PS
to Lord Goromiry-
cs. Mimider of stake.
HKST.O. dept.
НК
14/6 SEAD
We are apprehensive about the fate of the 119 South Vietnamese who are presently detained in Hong Kong and are liable to be deported to Saigon. Most of our information is based on news- paper reports from Hong Kong and I am enclosing here the relevant newspaper cuttings.
On Sunday June 2nd, the South Vietnamese were arrested by the Hong Kong Preventive Service for breaches of the Hong Kong Immig- ration Laws. Most of these people are men between the ages of 18 and 45 and are therefore liable for compulsory military service in South Vietnam.
South Vietnamese officials in Hong Kong would like these people to be deported to Saigon where we fear for their lives. Some sources have suggested that if they are sent back they could face a firing squad for offences under the South Vietnam conscrip- tion laws.
Many of these South Vietnamese have relatives in Hong Kong. More- over 15 of them are children, the youngest is 5 years old. There is a case to suggest that, on humanitarian grounds, some of these people should be allowed to remain in Hong Kong.
Roberto
A-P. Coles "%.
I understand that the Governor of Hong Kong is in Scotland and I hope it will be possible for me to see him in London next week. I would like to discuss the possibility of these people seeking asylum in other countries. I think it is vital that any decision to deport these South Vietnamese should be delayed for at least a few weeks.
Yours sincerel
Martin Ennals
Secretary General.
My Lots.
Lord Garmwy. Roberts saw
on
12 June and
reply to this
ecessary
Chairman of the International Executive: Sean MacBride, s.c. Secretary General: MARTIN Ennals
.
▸
Ceutin Ennals
discussed the matter with time
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14/6
PATRONS: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Great Britain Roger Baldwin, President of the International League for the Rights of Man, U.S.A. Danilo Dolci, Sicily Professor Erich Fromm, New York and Mexico Lt.-Gen. Sir Brian Horrocks, Great Britain. Jean-Flavien Lalive, Switzer- land Professor Salvador de Madariaga, Spain Yehudi Menuhin, Great Britain Professor Gunnar Myrdal, Sweden
Alan Paton, South Africa. Dr. Martin Niemöller, Germany Sean MacBride, S.C., Ireland Professor Giorgio La Pira, Italy Professor Julius Stone, Australia
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS_(ECOSOC) : UNESCO : THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE : THE ORGANISATION OF AMERICAN STATES : AND IS RECOGNISED BY THE ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY
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