A
56
CONFIDENTIAL
HHT3380|1
12.9. (57
18 DE? 1991
Mr Ricketts
Mr Burns
20/12/48 M,
20ders, HED
Rake you
KAM Saunders
FROM:
Hong Kong Department
DATE:
16 December 1991
tél has issued
as amended-
Mutin
PS/Lord Caithness
Private Secretary
cc: Sir J Coles
Ms Barrett,
Legal Advisers
UND
1 Add sentence agreed.
as
THE DEATH PENALTY IN HONG KONG
Problem
1.
The Hong Kong Government has decided to introduce
legislation removing the death penalty from the statute book. They have asked for our views on the proposed replacement sentences and on the timing of the necessary legislation.
Recommendation
2. I recommend that we should agree both to the replacement
sentences proposed in para 2 of Hong Kong telno 3771 and to the suggested timing in its para 6. I submit a draft
telegram in reply. Legal Advisers are content.
Background and Argument
3.
The abolition of capital punishment in the UK in 1965 was followed by its de facto abolition in Hong Kong. The
last execution there was in November 1966. However in
KAYAAT/1
CONFIDENTIAL