TNAG-1921-FCO40-2726-Mutual-legal-assistance-between-the-UK-and-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 11

CONFIDENT TITL

Attorneys General of all Dependent Territories

MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE BILL

HK B

371

12

23

270 2680

JHLAJA

A

8 August 1989

1. Many of you will know that faced with the rapid expansion of

international crime, such as drug trafficking and international fraud,

the UK has taken a number of steps to enhance the extent to which we

can cooperate with other countries in criminal matters through the

provision of mutual legal assistance. The Drug Trafficking offences

Act (DTOA) 1986 provides for the conclusion of reciprocal agreements

to trace, freeze and confiscate the assets of drug traffickers. The

Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 1988 extended the powers to cover all

serious crime.

Internationally, the last few years have also seen the

development of the Scheme relating to Mutual Assistance in Criminal

Matters within the Commonwealth and the 1988 United Nations Convention

against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and pyschotropic

substances.

WATA

2.

•

Those of you in the larger territories, and in those most at risk

from international crime, will be aware of our support for the

enactment of local legislation compatible with the Drug Trafficking

offences Act. But our signature of the UN Convention, coupled with

the UK's desire to become party to the European Convention on Mutual