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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
FOR
MOVING THE BILL'S SECOND READING, THE ACTING SECRETARY SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, EXPLAINED THAT THE ICRC HAD ESTABLISHED A REGIONAL DELEGATION IN HONG KONG TO CARRY OUT ITS WORK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE FAR EAST.
AND
"HONG KONG HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE REGIONAL BASE BECAUSE OF ITS CENTRAL LOCATION, ITS GOOD COMMUNICATIONS
IS BECAUSE IT
A SOCIETY IN WHICH AN ORGANISATION WITH AN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ROLE SUCH AS THE ICRC CAN FUNCTION WITHOUT FEAR OR POLITICAL INTERFERENCE, HE SAID.
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HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ICRC, ESTABLISHED IN SWITZERLAND IN 1863, WERE VARIED.
THEY INCLUDED PROVIDING AND CO-ORDINATING MEDICAL SERVICES IN TIME OF WAR OR INTERNAL STRIFE, AND OTHER HUMANITARIAN SERVICES, SUCH AS MONITORING THE CARE OF PRISONERS OF WAR AND FACILITATING CONTACTS BETWEEN FAMILIES SEPARATED BY WAR OR POLITICAL BARRIERS.
IF ENACTED, THE BILL WOULD GRANT THE FOLLOWING IMMUNITIES TO THE COMMITTEE:
PRIVILEGES AND
*
IMMUNITY FOR THE REGIONAL DELEGATION IN HONG KONG FROM LEGAL PROCESS. THIS IS LIMITED TO CASES ARISING FROM THE REGIONAL DELEGATION'S OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS;
INVIOLABILITY OF ARCHIVES AND PREMISES OCCUPIED AS OFFICES;
EXEMPTION FROM TAXES AND RATES ON OFFICE AND RESIDENTIAL PREMISES:
EXEMPTION FROM DUTIES AND TAXES ON GOODS AND PUBLICATIONS DIRECTLY IMPORTED OR EXPORTED BY THE ICRC FOR USE IN ITS OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS WHICH MAY BE LAID DOWN BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE;
EXEMPTION FROM RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF GOODS AND PUBLICATIONS FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES;
IMMUNITY FROM LEGAL PROCESS FOR THE DELEGATES. THIS IS LIMITED TO CASES ARISING FROM THE ICRC'S OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS AND APPLIES ONLY TO FULL MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION AND NOT TO LOCALLY EMPLOYED STAFF:
EXEMPTION FROM SALARIES TAX ON EMOLUMENTS RECEIVED AS A DELEGATE OF THE COMMITTEE. THIS EXEMPTION ALSO APPLIES ONLY TO FULL MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION AND NOT TO LOCALLY EMPLOYED STAFF;
EXEMPTION FROM STAMP DUTY FOR ICRC DELEGATES OR PREMISES AS THE CHIEF SECRETARY MAY CERTIFY UNDER SECTION 43(3) OF THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
+
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