TNAG-1830-FCO40-2598-Hong-Kong-laws-on-homosexuality-1988 — Page 53

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It is not, in our view, the function of the law to

intervene in the private lives of citizens, or to

seek to enforce any particular pattern of behaviour,

further than is necessary to carry out the purposes

we have outlined

certain forms of sexual

behaviour are regarded by many as sinful, morally

wrong, or objectionable for reasons of conscience, or

of religious or cultural tradition; and such actions

may be reprobated on these grounds. But the criminal

law does not cover all such actions at the present

time; for instance, adultery and fornication are not

offences for which a person can be punished by the

criminal law." (8)

11.

In recommending that homosexual behaviour between

consenting adults in private should no longer be a criminal

offence, the Wolfenden Committee commented that this sphere of

crime should not be confused with moral or religious views on

Matters of private morality should not in the

Committee's view, be the law's concern. It was argued that it

is important to respect the individual's freedom of choice in

matters of private morality. To recognise that in such

matters the mature individual can be expected to bear

sin.

responsibility for his own actions without the threat of

punishment from the law. (9)

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