CONFIDENTAL
GRS 250
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 310850Z JAN 80
TO PRIORITY F C O
HKK, 34|||
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51- 04 FEB 1980
DESK OFFICER
TELEGRAM NUMBER 182 OF 31 JANUARY INDEX
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REGISTRY
Ardon Taken
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113
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, ROUTINE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
GUARDIAN ARTICLE ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
1. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE GUARDIAN OF 30 JANUARY HAD AN ARTICLE
BY MARY LEE ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA. THE ARTICLE MENTIONED RECENT MEASURES IN GUANGDONG AND SAID THAT
HARSHER PUNISHMENT WAS NOW BEING METED OUT, INCLUDING ''SENTENCING
ORGANISERS TO LONG JAIL TERMS OR SOMETIMES EVEN TO DEATH''.
2. WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THERE HAVE BEEN, OR INDEED WILL BE, ANY CASES OF DEATH SENTENCES SIMPLY FOR "'ESCAPING'' OR
ORGANISING ESCAPES.
3. THERE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN A NUMBER OF TRIALS IN GUANGDONG
FOR THOSE ESCAPING OR INVOLVED IN ORGANISING ESCAPES. THESE
HAVE BEEN WELL PUBLICISED IN THE GUANGZHOU PRESS, CLEARLY WITH
THE INTENTION OF SERVING AS A DETERRENT. MOST SENTENCES HAVE
RANGED FROM 2 TO 5 YEARS. THE LONGEST SENTENCE WE HAVE HEARD OF
IN THESE RECENTTRIALS WAS FOR 10 YEARS: THE PERSON CONCERNED
WAS ACCUSED ADDITIONALLY OF ASSAULTING SECURITY FORCES.
4. WE HAVE REPORTS OF NOTICES IN SHENZHEN (ACROSS THE BORDER)
SAYING THAT ANYONE WHO SERIOUSLY INJURES OR KILLS A MEMBER OF
THE SECURITY FORCES WILL SUFFER A LONG TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OR
THE DEATH PENALTY. THIS MAY BE THE ORIGIN OF THE MARY LEE STORY.
THE CRIMES ARE OF COURSE VERY DIFFERENT FROM SIMPLY ESCAPING OR
ORGANISING.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HKLGD (*)
010
NEWS D
MR CORMAZZI
MR MURRAY MR SIRATION
COPIES
To
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE
CONFIDENMAL
36