TNAG-1088-FCO40-1338-Illegal-immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 172

布政司署

香港下亞畢道

***** OUR REF.: (74) in SCR 3/2091/79 IV

* YOUR REF.: HKK 34

P.J. Williamson Esq.

Hong Kong & General Department Foreign & Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH

England

for Searle Dragt pl. £28.1.81

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

YARNMENT SECRETA

I ower alDERI ROAD

RECEIVED IN

Y NO. 51

HONG KONG

TO JAN 1981

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

22nd

No

PA anuary TOTL

REGISTRY Action Tako i

1981

R+

PGD 10/2

me

Feb

MAS

29,

Dear Patrick,

Illegal Immigration

roter plas

30/1181

See (18

Thank you for allowing us to comment on the letter and article from the China Post of 19th December, 1980 concerning the treatment of illegal immigrants.

2.

The allegations about ill treatment by Hong Kong Security Forces are without foundation. Border patrols carry wooden clubs which are used only in extreme circum- stances, and then with the minimum force necessary. The Security Forces have never been issued with anything that remotely resembles an "electric club" so we cannot comment further on this.

3.

There is no evidence to suggest that illegal immigrants are in danger of receiving death sentences on repatriation. They frequently have to undergo brief periods of reform through labour and detention but imprisonment is generally reserved for repeated escapers and escape organisers. In those very few cases where we have had reason to believe that an illegal immigrant might suffer inhumane treatment, we have allowed them to

remain.

4.

The case of

who was mentioned in the Article, was considered by a board specially convened to consider his request for political asylum. The board ruled that there were no grounds for granting his request and he was subsequently repatriated to China.

3