TNAG-1202-FCO40-1504-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 80

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44 Stanley Village Road Stanley, Hong Kong

January 31, 1982

Sir Murray MacLehose,

Governor,

Government House

Hong Kong

Your Excellency:

DECEIVER 11/12/87

Please excuse the audacity with which I address the following matter to you, but I consider that its urgency warrants it.

I am writing on behalf of Ms. Christine Vertucci, who was informed by the Immigration Department on January 22 that her em- ployment visa in Hong Kong would not be renewed, and that she had two weeks in which to prepare to leave the colony.

In my capacity as a Catholic priest of the Maryknoll Society, I have come to know Ms. Vertucci during her years of work here, and can say that I have only been impressed with her Christian dedi- cation to the cause of social justice for the peoples of Asia in general, and for the common citizen of Hong Kong in particular. It was, therefore, with shock and dismay that I read the news of the Immigration Department's refusal of her application for exten- sion of visa. I am all the more mystified by the fact that no reasons were given for said refusal.

I therefore appeal to you, Excellency, that a thorough review of Ms. Vertucci's "case" be made, and that, upon appeal, she be allowed to remain and work in Hong Kong among the people she has come to know so well and to love so much.

Yours respectfully.

Peter J. Bonny

Father Peter J. Bakry, M.M.

cc. Chief Secretary

Sir Philip Haddon-Cave