LIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFF
FOREIGN
HKD
11 JUL 1991
HOFFICE
Copy
pr. Cap tun
amnesty international
swedish section
group 58 Eskilstuna, Swed
The Honourable Dame Lydia Dunn
OCATIONSHAOg
June 1991
о
#F
Human Rights
cally im-
As a member of Amnesty International, a partial organization, and according to the following, I am respectfully
expressing concern at the proposal to resume executions in Hong Kong and I am stating Amnesty International's opposition to the death penalty on the grounds that it constitutes the ultimate form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and that it violates the right to life.
I am also stressing that the effectiveness of the death penalty is increasingly questioned and that the resumption of executions would be contrary to both world and regional trends towards the abolition of the death penalty, both in practice and in law.
I am also stressing the need for full public information about the facts surrounding the use of the death penalty and the reasons for abolition.
To last I am urging the Hong Kong Legislative Council to take a principled stand against the death penalty and to work towards its total abolition.
Yours respectfully and sincerely,
тем
Gullan Ekspong
teacher
Zetterbergsgatan 30
5632 26 Eskilstuna
Sweden
Copies have been sent to
His Excellency The Governor, Sir David Wilson, Hong Kong His Excellency the Prime Minister, John Major, London diplomatic representatives of the United Kingdom in Sweden
Amnesty International is a worldwide human rights movement which works impartially for the release of prisoners of conscience: men and women detained anywhere for their beliefs, colour, sex. ethnic origin, religion or language, provided they have neither used nor advocated violence. Amnesty International opposes torture and the death penalty in all cases without reservation and advocates fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners. Amnesty International is independent of all governments, political fractions, ideologies, economic interests and religious creeds. It is financed by its membership and by subscriptions from all parts of the world. Amnesty International has consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC), UNESCO and the Council of Europe, has cooperative relations with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States, and has observer status with the Organization of African Unity (Bureau for the Placement and Education of African Refugees).