CONFIDENTIAL
ZCZC
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO
OF 261715Z SEPTEMBER 85
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
[JA3ALJ]
IMMEDIATE
YOUR TELNO 1992: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
1.
2.
We agree with your proposals in TUR.
We can
can see grave disadvantages in a Bill of Rights in
Hong Kong, both for the reasons set out in Fred Burrows'
memorandum and because of the likely Chinese reaction. The best
force solution would therefore be if the Basic Law gave the tac of Law to the provisions of the Joint Declaration on rights and freedoms (both the international covenants and the rights and freedoms as rovided for by the laws previously in force in Hong Kong). If this is not possible we must ensure that any catalogue of rights
in the Basic Law is not more restrictive than the Joint
Declaration.
3.
If there are calls for a Bill of Rights in Hong Kong we ma Hinn agree that it is best to play the long. We agree that outright
ι
H-A opposition to such a Bill would be difficult for the Government.
The best line might be to refer
be to refer to the Basic Law, and say that
under paragraph 3(12) of the Joint Declaration tha
of the Joint Declaration that will
incorporate the provisions on rights and freedoms set out in
HK D
JN POWELL
Section
233 3918