TNAG-1751-FCO40-2471-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 143

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TREATMENT OF PRISONERS AFTER 1997

Capital Punishment

In Hong

Under the

I can reassure the House that death sentences passed in Hong

Kong prior to 1997, but commuted to life imprisonment by the

Governor of Hong Kong, will not be carried out after 1997.

Kong, the commutation of a death sentence is irrevocable.

Joint Declaration, the laws currently in force in Hong Kong will

remain basically unchanged, save for any that contravene the Basic

Law.

There is no intention before 1997 to vary the laws of Hong Kong

to conform to the criminal law of the PRC by introducing the death

penalty for "economic crimes" such as bribery, theft, speculation

and embezzlement. After 1997, these matters will fall within the

high degree of autonomy to be enjoyed by the Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region under the Joint Declaration.

Extradition of fugitives from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong

The House will recognise that the arrangements currently in force in respect of Hong Kong regarding the return of fugitive

offenders to and from the territory cannot subsist in their present

form, beyond the resumption by China of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. We are considering what action would be appropriate to ensure that suitable arrangements can continue in force for Hong

Kong after that date. The continuity after 1997 of such

arrangements affecting Hong Kong must be the subject of consultation

with the Chinese Government. Any such consultation would be

confidential, but HMG will naturally seek to ensure that safeguards

comparable to those which exist today under the Fugitive Offenders

Act 1967 will apply for the future.

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