Ms. G.J. Coglin,
GF 27/1
R & R mR
55
As saunter
Niko 380/, Previous letter to
нко
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
Hong Kong Department,
London SW1A 2AH,
ENGLAND.
Your ref.: WINAEB
7 / NUL 1990
14 High West, 142 Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong,
November 20, 1990
G
71
"
Dear Ms. Coglin,
113
Abolition of the death penalty in Hong Kong
Thank you for your letter of 9 July 1990 which arrived just after I left Hong Kong on leave. Since I returned I have been considering how best to respond.
The fact that all death sentences in Hong Kong have been commuted in recent years means that the British and Hong Kong Governments are in fact going against the wishes
of what they consider to be the large majority of Hong Kong people. Thank goodness for that! The worldwide trend in more civilised countries is to abolish the death penalty, a trend which I and the British Government bath support.
and thereby misuse after a deplorable the British
Abolition of the death penalty in Hong Kong is something the British Government could do in the remaining years of its colonial rule in Hong Kong safeguard Hong Kong people against possible 1997 by the Chinese Government, which has record in this area.
Is it better for Government to do what is morally right or to appease the Chinese Government for the sake of a smooth handover in 1997 and better political and economic ties? I am sure in your heart of hearts you would favour contemplate what will happen if on the statute books in 1997. out a string of executions in Games in order that visitors might have a more enjoyable time!
a)
b)
the former. I shudder to the death penalty is still Look how the Chinese carried Beijing prior to the Asian
I would be most grateful if you would :-
confirm that my letter of 19 June and this letter was/will be brought to the attention of the Secretary of State himself, that is my wish,
provide me with details of surveys, done prior to and after the massacre in Beijing in June 1989, concerning abolition of the death penalty in Hong Kong, e.g. how many people were consulted, who were they, what were the results? N.B. I have lived in Hong Kong for 18 years, have the right to land and am a voter. not aware that I have ever been consulted.
I am
/P. 2