TNAG-1916-FCO40-2720-Accommodation-for-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 34

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MDHIAN 134

INVESTIGATE THE DISTURBANCE, BUT NOW THAT THE UNHCR REPORT IS AVAILABLE THEY ARE ABLE TO FOCUS THEIR ENQUIRIRES MORE ACCURATELY. THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE (CAPO). THE REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE WHICH IS A BODY ENTIRELY INDEPENDENT OF THE

POLICE FORCE.

6. IN ACKNOWLEDGING THE UNHCR REPORT I HAVE REPLIED TO THE UNHCR CHIEF OF MISSION THAT I REGARD THESE ALLEGATIONS WITH THE UTMOST GRAVITY. THEY WILL ALL BE CLOSELY INVESTIGATED USING OUR WELL-ESTABLISHED MACHINERY FOR DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE. I HAVE URGED UNHCR TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH THE

INVESTIGATIONS.

7. WE HAVE MADE THE FOLLOWING POINTS IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES :

(A) A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DISTURBANCE INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH OF A 52 YEAR OLD VBP AT SEK KONG. THE POLICE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE POSTMORTEM REPORT HAS INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT DIE FROM NATURAL CAUSES.

(B) A CAPO INVESTIGATION BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST

ALLEGATIONS OF ILL-TREATMENT WERE REPORTED.

(C) THE UNHCR REPORT ALLEGING ILL-TREATMENT OF VBP HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO CAPO FOR

INVESTIGATION.

(D) THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEPLORES VIOLENCE AND DISORDERLY

CONDUCT FROM WHATEVER QUARTER AND IS DETERMINED TO CONDUCT A FULL AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO THESE ALLEGATIONS. THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NECESSARY ONCE THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE

INVESTIGATION ARE REPORTED.

(E) CID AND CAPO INVESTIGATIONS ARE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF CONDUCTING THE NECESSARY INQUIRIES. CAPO REPORTS TO THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE WHICH IS OF COURSE ENTIRELY INDEPENDENT OF THE POLICE FORCE.

WILSON

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