нивон 15
ig
Sca Richard.
1990
CIVIL LIBERTIES IN HONG KONG
DIFU-EN
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SW1 2AH
From The Minister of State
13 November 1990
Thank you for your letter of 30 October enclosing one from your constituent, Mr J Watts of "Sarona", Norwich Road, Salhouse, Nr Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 6QF, about the prosecution of certain individuals under the Summary Offences Ordinance.
The cases referred to in Mr Watts' letter are under appeal and therefore subjudice. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on their particular circumstances.
The laws under which charges have been brought are the laws of the Hong Kong Government. The decision to prosecute was taken by the Hong Kong Attorney General. It must be for the Hong Kong Government to handle these cases as they see fit, in accordance with Hong Kong law.
Mr Watts also mentioned the question of human rights with regard to the Summary Offences Ordinance. The Hong Kong Government are currently reviewing all existing legislation to ensure that it is compatible with the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as applied to Hong Kong. These form the basis of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights which was introduced into the Legislative Council on 25 July. The laws which have a bearing on the freedom of expression and the freedom of peaceful assembly will naturally be subject to this process.
Richard Ryder Esq MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A OAA
Ya fue Hold
THE EARL OF CAITHNESS
Ms gogm 4/13 W14/1
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