No. 356
November 5 to November 11, 1975
A WEEKLY SUMMARY OF EDITORIAL
LENN
IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS.
ANNEX D
J
Life Imprisonment
The Colonial Secretary, Sir Denys Roberts, told the Legislative Council on November 6 that the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, would in future, whenever he commutes a death penalty, impose the alternative punishment of life imprisonment, unless, in exceptional circumstances, he feels able to accept advice from the Executive Council that a lesser sentence should be imposed.
Sir Denys added that "life imprisonment will mean precisely what it says and the prisoner will not be released for the term of his natural existence."
The Chinese press reacted with 13 editorials during the past week.
Oriental Daily (8.11.75), Tin Tin Yat Po (8.11.75), Hong Kong Times (9.11.75), Ming Pao (9.11.75) and the Communist Tin Fung Yat Po (9.11.75) supported the Government's decision.
Oriental Daily said: "The Government's decision is most commendable, It has carefully weighed every aspect of the issue and has decided on life imprisonment which is welcomed by all parties concerned."
Tin Tin Yat Po said: "The people of Hong Kong are pleased with
the Government's action."
Hong Kong Times said: "The Government's move will serve its purpose and should be supported by the community.
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Ming Pao said: "Life imprisonment is the best solution for long Kong other than capital punishment, the enforcement of which has become impracticable."
Tin Tin Yat Po, Hong Kong Times and the Communist Tin Fung Yat Po praised the Government for its decision which accords with the "wishon of the people of Hong Kong."
Oriental Daily maintained that life imprisonment would have the same effective deterrent as that of capital punishment, while the Communist Tin Fung Yat Po, Hong Kong Times, Ming Pao, Tin Tin Yat Po, Kung Sheung Evening News (7.11.75), Nam Wah Man Pao (7.11.75), Hong Kong Daily News (8.11.75) and New Life Evening Post (8.11.75) were of the opinion that life imprisonment would have varying deterrent effects on violent crime.
Oriental Daily said: "Having to spend the rest of one's life in prison will have the same effect as the death penalty in deterring people from killing."
The Communist Tin Fung Yat Po said: "Strictly speaking, life imprisonment is more horrible than capital punishment. It is a substantial deterrent."
Hong Kong Times and Ming Pao said that life imprisonment would achieve the required deterrent against murderers and vicious criminals.
"Furthermore," Ming Pag added, "it is a giant step forward dompared with oxisting sentences."
Kung Sheung Evening News said: "Life imprisonment is a satisfactory answer to the request by the people of Hong Kong to restor: hanging on a deterrent to violent crime.
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