XN000022-1993-07-16 — Page 8

FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1993

PART II REPORT OF COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO WITNESS PROTECTION

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THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED PART II OF THE REPORT OF MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER'S INQUIRY INTO WITNESS PROTECTION.

ON JANUARY 12, 1993, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL APPOINTED MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER TO INQUIRE INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING ΤΟ THE DECISION TO OFFER NO EVIDENCE AGAINST THE DEFENDANT IN A MURDER CASE AND TO EXAMINE THE EXISTING WITNESS PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS IN GENERAL.

PART I OF THE REPORT COVERING THE SPECIFIC INCIDENT WAS PUBLISHED ON APRIL 8, 1993.

IN PART II OF THE REPORT, THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY MAKES 19 RECOMMENDATIONS ΤΟ IMPROVE THE EXISTING WITNESS PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS.

THE PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATIONS RELATE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF A CENTRALISED WITNESS PROTECTION AUTHORITY ΤΟ ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROTECTION OF WITNESSES IN THOSE CASES WHERE IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT SPECIAL PROTECTION, SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF A "SAFE HOUSE" OR RELOCATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED.

TO

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS CALL FOR CHANGRS

THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALL WITNESSES, INCLUDING IMPROVING THEIR ACCOMMODATION IN CRIMINAL COURTS AND PAYING THEM OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.

THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS VERY ENCOURAGING TO LEARN THAT THE COMMISSION HAD FOUND THE REPORT OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ON WITNESS PROTECTION USEFUL AND THAT THE COMMISSION HAD ADOPTED THE MAJORITY OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.

NOW STUDY

"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL

IN DETAIL THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY, HE SAID.

"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRALISED WITNESS AUTHORITY WOULD MARK A DEPARTURE FROM EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS REQUIRE CAREFUL STUDY.'

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PROTECTION AND WILL

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"WE ARE GATEFUL TO MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER FOR ALL THE HARD HE HAS PUT INTO THIS REPORT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

WORK

ΤΟ

COPIES OF THE REPORT (PART II) IN ENGLISH WILL BE AVAILABLE THE PUBLIC AT DISTRICT OFFICES PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES FROM NEXT MONDAY (JULY 19).

THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE REPORT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AS SOON AS THE TRANSLATION WORK IS COMPLETED.

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