Introduction
LOCALISATION OF UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS
Taking of Hostages
This paper has been prepared as a basis for consultation
in accordance with the three principles for consultation agreed at
the eighth meeting of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, on the
way in which the British side intends to localise certain provisions
in United Kingdom enactments which apply to Hong Kong. The
enactments covered by this paper concern the taking of hostages.
Background
2.
The United Kingdom signed the International Convention
against the Taking of Hostages ("the Convention") on 18 December
1979 and ratified it on 22 December 1982. In order to be able to
ratify the Convention the United Kingdom enacted the Taking of
Hostages Act 1982 ("the 1982 Act") which, in respect of the United
Kingdom
(a) created the offence of hostage-taking and made ancillary
provisions;
(b) added that offence to Schedule 1 to the Fugitive Offenders
Act 1967; and
(၁)
added that offence to Schedule 1 to the Extradition Act
1870.