TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
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DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON HOMOSEXUALITY LAW PUBLISHED
* *
DOCUMENT
A
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED A DISCUSSION ENTITLED "HOMOSEXUAL OFFENCES: SHOULD THE LAW BE CHANGED? CONSULTATION PAPER”.
THE PAPER FOLLOWS ON FROM RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IN 1983 THAT THE LAW GOVERNING HOMOSEXUAL OFFENCES SHOULD BE REFORMED.
THE CONSULTATION PAPER EXPLAINS THE CURRRENT LAW PROVIDES A PENALTY OF UP TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR HOMOSEXUAL AND SETS OUT THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST CHANGE.
J
WHICH ACTS
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TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL LAW, TRADITIONAL VALUES AND THE FAMILY, PUBLIC BEHAVIOUR, BLACKMAIL AND
HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE PAPER EXAMINES IN TURN THREE POSSIBLE OPTIONS
OPTION 1: NO CHANGE TO THE PRESENT LAW;
OPTION 2: REMOVAL OF THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR
ACTS IN PRIVATE BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS;
OPTION 3: REDUCTION OF THE PENALTIES FOR HOMOSEXUAL
PRIVATE BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS.
HOMOSEXUAL
AND
ACTS IN
BE
THE
IF PUBLIC RESPONSE INDICATES THAT CRIMINAL PENALTIES SHOULD REMOVED, THE CONSULTATION PAPER SUGGESTS ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO LAW WHICH WOULD ENSURE THAT YOUNG MEN ARE FULLY PROTECTED FROM SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION.
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ARE AVAILABLE IN DISTRICT OFFICES. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR EITHER ΤΟ CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, 12TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, OR ΤΟ THEIR DISTRICT OFFICE.
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