TNAG-0216-FCO40-252-Detainees-and-prisoners-convicted-for-offences-during-the-di-1970 — Page 128

سلامی

CONFIDENT

the Bohich subjech

detained in Chison,

स्प

be' iour otherwise these prisoners, having been sentenced to four

years or more, would not be due for release until 1971 at the earliest.

If, therefore, the release of confrontation prisoners is to be further

the Chines speeded up hope that this would persued a speeded up, short of an amnesty the criteria on which remissions are

the

normally granted will have to be reviewed. In favour of this, it can

be said that :

(i) The situation in Hong Kong today is very different from the

situation in 1967 when the communists were challenging the

authority of the Government at all levels. We now know

that the CPG have instructed the communists in Hong Kong to

avoid any trial of strength with the authorities and to

concentrate on winning mass support for their cause by

lawful means.

(ii)

It is possible that the sentences imposed by the courts during the period of the disturbances were not all of

similar severity for offences of the same kind and there

may be a case on these grounds for a special review of some

sentences.

On the other hand

(1+1)

ii) The stretching of the normal review procedures last year

strained public credibility. There was pointed public comment at the time and the Hong Kong non-communist Press gave full.coverage to a letter from eighty prisoners accusing the Board of Review of being partial towards

left-wing prisoners.

(iv) The unofficial members of the Board were upset by the

criticism being levelled at them in private conversation by

many who did not approve of any leniency towards this category of prisoner.

Other Considerations

10. (i) Would it be proper to ask. the Board of Review to take into

account the considerations referred to in paragraph 9 (i) and (ii) above?

(ii) Alternatively, should the Governor alone take these criteria

into account or perhaps seek advice on their application

from a source other than the Board of Review, e.g., the Colonial Secretary or the Chief Justice or both?

•

/ (iii)