JUSTICE
(BRITISH SECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS)
Cables:
JUSTJURIST HONGKONG
Telephone:
H-237851
14th July 1982 Page 2
HONG KONG BRANCH
President of Council
The Rt Hon. The Lord Gardiner
Chairman
I. R. A. MacCallum
Deputy Chairman B. H. Tisdal!
Executive Secretary Hin-Lee Wong
Communications:
Executive Secretary
727 PRINCE'S BUILDING,
CENTRAL.
HONG KONG.
In particular we are horrified to note that the terms of Rule 37 and the fact that the Correctional Services Department are entitled to use firearms in maintaining control in the Correctional Centre and in preventing a person trying to escape.
We recall the universal horror that was expressed when Malaysia used firearms to prevent refugees from landing on its shores. We can see no difference in the use by Hong Kong of firearms to prevent refugees trying to escape from a situation which they may well find intolerable after many months in a closed camp.
We trust that on a more sober reflection Government will realise that the treatment of refugees in a closed camp is not the same thing as the treatment of convicted criminals in a maximum security prison and will amend the Rules accordingly.
In the meantime we intend to take the matter up with. Justice in the U.K. as we feel that the principles involved here are of such importance so they should be brought to the attention of the United Kingdom Parliament.
Yours faithfully
Habell
I.R.A. MacCallum Chairman
cc: The Secretary for Security
Administrative Secretary
UMELCO
The Secretary, Justice, London United Nations High Commission
for Refugees