CALL BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE,
16 SEPTEMBER 1992
ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY: HONG KONG
Points to Make (defensive)
- What Mr Patten says in his speech is a matter for him but I understand that the Hong Kong Government are continuing to work
on the legislation to do with the Death Penalty.
-
In Hong Kong the Governor has commuted every death sentence to
a term of imprisonment since November 1966. This arrangement is widely accepted and understood in Hong Kong even though public opinion is still strongly in favour of the death penalty. However following a motion in LegCo, legislation on the death
penalty is being prepared.
-
Formal abolition in Hong Kong now would not prevent the post-1997 government there from reintroducing the death penalty
if it so chose.
Amnesty.PR.JRB