DIEU E
obligations which the Covenants covered. He seemed cheered by this, but also to appreciate the negotiating difficulties we would face. He also asked about extension to Hong Kong of the Optional Protocol under the ICCPR: we explained why we thought this politically a non-starter at least until we had completed negotiations in the IRO Subgroup on the UN Covenants or until the UK decided to accede to the Optional Protocol (not just in relation to Hong Kong).
5.
On the Bill of Rights, Sir William said that the mission were happy that the Bill had become law. They were concerned at the Chinese position. We said we shared that concern and explained the efforts we had made to bring them round. Sir William also expressed concern at the reservations to the ICCPR which had been incorporated into the Bill of Rights.
6.
Finally, Sir William expressed apprehension at the retention of the death penalty in Hong Kong not least because he thought it might be applied after 1997 to a wider range of offences.
7. We asked Sir William whether he intended to see any of Peking's representatives in Hong Kong. He said that "Justice Hong Kong" were trying to fix an appointment with NCNA. If that failed, he would see the Chinese Ambassador in London on his return. We mentioned Guo Fengmin (having also suggested that a cast on Tony Galsworthy could be helpful).
As you may already be aware, the ICJ mission intend to attend the conference on human rights on 20-22 June. They expect to report to the ICJ Executive Council at the end of October. Sir William suggested that he meet us again then, possibly with his draft report; I welcomed this and said that if he wanted a formal account of the Government's position on any points we could provide written briefing. The report would be published in late 1991/early 1992. Sir William seemed well pleased with the briefing which Hong Kong Government had provided and the calls arranged.
Sir William did not expect to focus on the Vietnamese Migrant problem, though he thought that the mission would be unable to avoid some reference.
9.
Yours ever, Niger
N J Cox
CC: Ms Barrett, Legal Advisers
PS
am sorm that this will now reach you after fis William's
the Governor, but you may still wish to copy
call on
MUKANZ
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