G. LESLIE BALOGH
(416) 762-5680
FAX: (416) 762-0962
pr. Cap. Pan.
بیلام
136 EILEEN AVE. / TORONTO / ONTARIO / MÓN 1W1
25 June 1991
The HONOURABLE ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI
Member, Legislative Council
8 Jackson Road
HONG KONG
DEAR MR. PENG-FEI,
R
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEA
EALTH OFFICE
11 JUL 1991
Ccuplun
I AM WRITING TO YOU TO EXXON ONCE THE PROPOSAL
AT
GLY URGE THAT YOU
TO RESUME EXECUTIONS IN HONG KONG.
AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OPPOSE SUCH A POSITION
ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS.
MAY I TAKE THE LIBERTY TO POINT OUT THAT THE POSITION OF
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO THE DEATH PENALTY IS TO OPPOSE IT ON
THE GROUNDS THAT IT CONSTITUTES THE ULTIMATE FORM OF CRUEL,
INHUMAN AND DEGRADING PUNISHMENT AND THAT IT VIOLATES THE RIGHT
TO LIFE.
ALSO, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEATH PENALTY IS INCREASINGLY
QUESTIONED. RESUMPTION OF THE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY BY HONG KONG
WOULD BE CONTRARY TO BOTH WORLD AND REGIONAL TRENDS TOWARDS THE
ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY, BOTH IN PRACTICE AND IN LAW.
I URGE ALL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNICL TO TAKE A
PRINCIPLED STAND AGAINS THE DEATH PENALTY AND WORK TOWARDS ITS
TOTAL ABOLITION.
CERELY YOURS
G. LESLIE BALOGH
cc. Prime Minister John Major (United Kingdom)
FAXED