TNAG-0723-FCO40-921-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 45

BACKGROUND NOTE

Capital Punishment in the Dependent Territories

Capital punishment for murder is retained in seven dependent territories:

Belize

Bermuda

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Hong Kon

Montserrat

Turks and Caicos Islands

In 1965 and ag in in 1970 the Decretary of State of the day invited those territories retaining capital punishment to consider aboli in it, in line with the policy which had been adopted in the UL.. The territories listed above dec- lined to do so in most of them, the decision has subsequently been endorsed ... the legislatures of the territories concerned.

2. Following the disturbances which occurred as a result of two executions in Bermuda last September, the Secretary of State indicated that he was willing to consider changing the present policy under which the British Government does not intervene in capital cases in dependent territories (except to prevent a miscarriage of justice), if that was Parliament's wish. This remains the Governments position, though it seems unlikely that time can be found for a debate on this subject during the prestat parliamentary session.

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GR3 225

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