CONFIDENTIAL
MW3 380/1
рз
p.3. Cap PA
41
Mr Paul
Boul
2014/7
Ms Sannies
Mr Burns
wisg
ministe
Ps/Lash Continen
THE DEATH PENALTY IN HONG KONG
1.
2
FROM: K A M Saunders
Hong Kong Department
DATE: 9 July 1991
Cc:
Mr Cox
Noted x. 10/1
て
се
Coly SCANED) +
SEEN' Bellis
ce Sir John Corer of
Special showcas Nam Japl-
Mr Burns has asked what are the consequences of the
LegCo vote on 26 June to abolish the death penalty, and has suggested that Ministers may also wish to know what the
position is now.
The LegCo debate
2.
The original motion put forward by Kingsley Sit was "in view of the present law and order situation
.... to resume immediately the carrying out of the death penalty". Martin Lee, supported by Martin Barrow and others, responded with an amendment proposing that the police force be strengthened and that legislative measures be introduced to abolish capital punishment and replace it by life imprisonment. Despite the fact that public opinion in Hong Kong is generally thought to favour the death penalty, the amendment, which was taken first, was adopted 24 votes to 12 with 5 abstentions. official members were given a free vote and, with the exception of one abstention, all
voted for the amendment.
OAKAEE/1
TG
CONFIDENTIAL