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HKC241/2
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18 JAN 1991
NOTE FOR THE RECORD
EP REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN HONG KONG
1.
I have discussed the handling of this enquiry by the European Parliament Human Rights Sub-Committee with FCO (Pam Major, Hong Kong Dept), with the Hong Kong Trade Office (Messrs Skinner and Williamson) and with one
and with one or two contacts in the EP (notably Tim Bainbridge, who covers political affairs for the EDG and Richard Moore, who does the same for the Liberals and expects to be closely associated with the production of the
the report, as the rapporteur is a Liberal MEP).
2.
Richard Moore has agreed to brief us in detail once he has had a proper discussion with the rapporteur about his intentions. The MEP (Bertens) is a former Dutch Ambassador
former Dutch Ambassador and, reputedly, likely to take a serious and sensible approach. The Hong Kong office here will brief Bertens next week and offer documentation, a visit to Hong Kong and such other assistance as he wants. All agree that the objective is maximum co-operation. The Hong Kong office will keep us
us closely in touch with their efforts and associate us as appropriate.
3.
Hong Kong Department pointed out that there would be advantage in playing this long because of current discussion in Hong Kong of a bill of rights. This may be concluded by the summer. Evidence of outside political interest in human rights would be liable to harden, rather than improve, Chinese attitudes to the adoption of a bill of rights. I passed this thought on to David Skinner, to use as he judges appropriate in his discussions with Bertens.
10 January 1991
CC:
Sir J Kerr
Richard Makepeace
ms Barrett mur Fifoot
Legal Advises
Mr
Walwyn UND.
Mr de Fonblanque
Mr Pakenham
D Healy Esq, ECD(I)/FCO
Ms P Major, Hong Kong Dept/FCO
Mr Lamport
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fa Human Rights: Creneral.
fm 15/1.