TNAG-0401-FCO40-447-Review-of-the-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 6

DEATH PENALTY

134

LINE TO TAKE

1.

The problem in the Tsoi case was a very special one

arising from the deabate on the death sentence in Northern

.i

.ጎ

Ireland. Abolitionist feeling was very strong in the House.

There was also an element of anti-racialism.

People argued

that to spare a European in Ireland and to hang a Chinese in

Hong Kong would be a sign of racial prejudice and colonialism.

2. An execution in Hong Kong would therefore have led to a

prolonged, publicised and bitter running battle, in which

Hong Kong would have been the subject of damaging political

controversy. This would not have been in the interest of

either country.

3.

C

We wish to confirm clearly that what happened over the

death penalty in the Tsoi case has no bearing on general issues

concerning Hong Kong. We have no intention of ignoring Hong

Kong's fundamental interests, or failing to consult fully.

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

19 June 1973

CONFIDENTIAL

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