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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1003
TO
THE
ON HONG KONG'S POLITICAL FUTURE, THE COMMISSIONER POINTED THE ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE TERRITORY, AND IMPORTANCE OF THE BASIC LAW WHICH GUARANTEES HONG KONG'S CURRENT WAY OF LIFE FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997.
DURING HIS TWO-DAY VISIT, MR YAXLEY MET MRS BRITTA KINNEMARK LANDER AT THE SWEDISH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (SHE IS THE FORMER CONSUL OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF SWEDEN IN HONG KONG); AND ATTENDED THE SWEDEN-HONG KONG SOCIETY CHINESE NEW YEAR DINNER.
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CRIMES (TORTURE) ORDINANCE TAKES EFFECT
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THE CRIMES (TORTURE) ORDINANCE, WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT, IS GAZETTED AND COMES INTO FORCE TODAY (THURSDAY).
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ANNOUNCING THIS A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE RELEVANT BILL RECEIVED ITS THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 19 LAST YEAR BUT ITS ENACTMENT HAS BEEN DEFERRED PENDING 'THE EXTENSION OF THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG.
"THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT
FORMALLY NOTIFIED THE UNITED
NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL ON DECEMBER 8 LAST YEAR THAT THE CONVENTION SHALL BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG AND BERMUDA.
"THE CONVENTION ENTERED INTO FORCE FOR THESE TERRITORIES ON JANUARY 7, 1993, HE SAID.
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"UNDER THE CRIMES
(TORTURE) ORDINANCE, IF ANY PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR PERSON ACTING IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY INTENTIONALLY INFLICTS SEVERE PAIN OR SUFFERING ON ANOTHER, WHETHER PHYSICAL OR MENTAL, IN THE PERFORMANCE OR PURPORTED PERFORMANCE OF HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES, HE COMMITS THE OFFENCE OF TORTURE.
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"OTHER PERSONS WHO COMMIT ACTS OF TORTURE AT THE INSTIGATION OF OR WITH THE CONSENT OR ACQUIESCENCE OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR PERSON ACTING IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY WILL ALSO BE CAUGHT UNDER THE LEGISLATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT FOR THE OFFENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
TORTURE IS
OF
"TO ENSURE THAT PAIN AND SUFFERING INFLICTED BY THE USE REASONABLE FORCE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE COURSE OF MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER WOULD NOT
BE CLASSIFIED AS TORTURE, THE ORDINANCE ALLOWS 'LAWFUL AUTHORITY, JUSTIFICATION, OR EXCUSE' TO BE CITED AS A DEFENCE AGAINST THE CHARGE OF TORTURE UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID.
CERTAIN
THE ORDINANCE ALSO PROVIDES LEGAL CHANNELS FOR THE EXTRADITION OF TORTURERS AND SUSPECTED TORTURERS.
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