TNAG-1836-FCO40-2611-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1989 — Page 39

CONFIDENTIAL

162162

MDLIAN 2559

42,

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO 3132

OF 22080OZ SEPTEMBER 89

40

AKB 011/2

HONG KONG TELNO 3047: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TOP COPY

Q DIST ?

AT THE PART I MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HELD ON 20 SEPTEMBER, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ORDERED THAT:

(A) IN PRINCIPLE, DRAFTING OF A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR HONG KONG SHOULD PROCEED. THE BILL SHOULD

(1) BE A STATEMENT OF RIGHTS CAPABLE OF BEING PROTECTED AND ENFORCED BY AN INDIVIDUAL THROUGH ACTION IN THE COURTS:

(2) TAKE THE FORM OF A SHORT ORDINANCE GIVING THE FORCE OF LAW TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, AS FAR AS THAT IS POSSIBLE:

(3) ALLOW A SPECIFIC PERIOD AFTER COMMENCEMENT DURING WHICH IT WOULD NOT OVERRIDE EXISTING LEGISLATION: AND

(B) BEFORE DRAFTING WORK COMMENCES, THE COUNCIL SHOULD DISCUSS FURTHER CON 26 SEPTEMBER 1989) THE FORM AND CONTENT OF A BILL OF RIGHTS. TO FACILITATE THIS, ANOTHER SUBMISSION SHOULD BE PREPARED LISTING

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(1) POINTS OF PRINCIPLE BROADLY AGREED BY THE COUNCIL:

(2) AREAS YET TO BE DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL: AND

(3) CURRENT LEGISLATION WHICH COULD BE MOST AFFECTED BY ENACTMENT OF A BILL OF RIGHTS.

WILSON

YYYY

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