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59. Arrangements for mutual legal assistance in the investigation of drug trafficking and money laundering and
the seizure of drug traffickers' assets were negotiated with
three foreign jurisdictions and the United Kingdom. Hong
Kong also joined the OECD Financial Action Task Force formed
to combat money laundering.
60. At the same time that laws were toughened up to combat
serious crime, steps were taken to abolish corporal
punishment. As a result, all forms of corporal punishment
were removed from the statute books during 1990.
61. Job and economic opportunities in Hong Kong continued
to attract large numbers of illegal immigrants from China.
In 1990 a total of 27,826 illegal immigrants were
apprehended, compared with 15,841 in 1989. Of particular concern was the increase in the number of illegal immigrants
found working on construction sites.
62.
In November, the Hong Kong Government increased the
penalties for those who knowingly employed illegal immigrants, and introduced a new offence for main
contractors who allowed illegal immigrants to be present on
construction sites. As these measures take effect, the
number of illegal immigrants arrested and imprisoned is expected to decline in the course of 1991.
Given that
illegal immigrants constitute 37 per cent of the prison
population, which is already 39 per cent over capacity at present, these measures should also reduce overcrowding.
63.
In December, the police began to take over responsibility from the Army for stopping illegal immigrants from crossing the Hong Kong-China border. The Army is expected to hand over to the police full responsibility for
the control of illegal immigration on the border by the end
of 1992.
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