TNAG-1014-FCO40-1264-HM-Government-s-responsibility-for-internal-affairs-in-Hong--1981 — Page 39

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

GF 323

24.12.78-

機密

CONFIDENTIAL #

150 boat people and JOAPBD rembers attempted to s unauthorised demonstration at Government Secretariat but the majority of them were persuaded by the Police to disperse at Blake Pier, Central. A small group

The event stayed behind to give a "press conference". took place on a Sunday and was well covered by the media.

7.1.79

8.1.79

9.1.79

15.1.79

Articles were carried in SCMP which included an interview with Mr. John Heywood, DD of H and Government's difficulties were well spelt out. (On 1.4.79, another lengthly article entitled "When Home is Just a Four-letter Word" was published in the same paper and this time, the critics views were given the prominence.)

On the same day (a Sunday) 76 persons were arrested on route to petition the Governor atFlagstaff House. 65 of these were later charged.

Supporters gathered outside the court when those charged were arraigned.

ExCo discussed the attemptedmarch to Flagstaff House.

Chief Secretary's Committee discussed the arrest of the 76

persons.

18.1.79

30.1.79

The Community Development Section of the HK Council of Social Service requested the Council to endorse a public statement on the right of assembly. The Council rejected the request after some discussion on 22.1.79

The Director of SoCo started to write to MPs in Britian, Messrs. James Johnson and Ben Ford were amongst those who received such letters. Some Lords in the Upper House were similarly lobbied.

The Commissioner, London explained the Government's policy on boat people and the arrest of the protesters to Mr. J. Johnson

in a letter..

CONFIDENTIAL 機密

l......

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