Wp-otr-1330 10.07
UNKER
DINOJJt kana kama 'yan!
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Immunity from jurisdiction
47.
Mrs Ip confirmed that immunity from suit and legal process would be available to other members of the EC Office in connection with their official duties.
Exemption from registration of aliens, residence and work permits
43.
Mrs Ip said this should not present any particular legal problem as it concerned only practical arrangements.
Exemption from personal services and contributions
49.
Mrs Ip said Hong Kong believed this should be a non-problem for the EC but felt it was their duty to draw EC's attention to the requirement for jury service.
Exemption from duty to give evidence
Mr Brüser noted this would be one of the major obstacles in
50.
the talks.
51.
Mrs
it was Ip said it
not possible to grant this exemption under existing laws. Nevertheless, Hong Kong would be prepared to consider whether Part II para 1 of First Schedule to Cap 190 on immunity from suit and legal process could be interpreted to include immunity from giving evidence as provided for under Article 31 of If that was the the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
of Office. Head
case,
granted
to
the
could be such immunity However, she pointed out that since consuls-general were not granted full immunity under Cap 259, this could upset the consuls-general of the Member States in Hong Kong.
52.
Mr Kuijper asked whether Part III para 1 of First Schedule
the same way
way to extend Cap 190
190 could
could also be interpreted in
the to other members of immunity
to Cap
from the duty to give evidence
was provided
office. He further confirmed that the EC was looking for something
to
for
44 Article under
of
the Vienna
what equal Convention on Consular Relations.
/Clause