TNAG-0498-FCO40-563-Deportation-of-foreign-nationals-from-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 56

that nothing serious would happen to members of

the group, and that cases of violation of the

emigration laws would be tried in open court and

would not be harshly punished.

4. Mr Bannister is right in thinking that

Amnesty International have made a number of

allegations about ill treatment received by

members of the group on their return to Saigon,

including brutal assault, despatch to the front

line without military training and the death of

14 members of the group. Lord Goronwy-Roberts

has discussed this case with Mr Martin Ennals,

the Secretary General of Amnesty International,

and in subsequent correspondence has repeatedly

sought evidence in support of these allegations.

But none has been forthcoming.

5. We have of course looked into Amnesty's

allegations very carefully, but so far have not

been able to substantiate them. The reference

in Mr Bannister's letter to the British Embassy

in Saigon clearly results from a misunderstanding.

The point which they sought to convey was that

hard evidence is necessary before one can

reasonably challenge the firm assurances given

in person by a Minister of a foreign government.

6. Although the Embassy in Saigon did not at the

time of the Amnesty mission's visit possess a

full list of the illegal immigrants, they

/received

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