TNAG-2080-FCO40-2960-Hong-Kong-politically-sensitive-issues-1991 — Page 113

Issue

Objective/explanation

12

CONFIDENTIAL

Present status/progress

Crimes Ordinance

(Cont'd)

(b) continuation of the

death penalty under sections 2 and 19 needs to be considered in the context of maintenance of the death penalty generally, given article 6 of the Covenant on Civil and Political rights;

(c) loitering provisions and

stop and search powers are already under review by the Law Reform Commission.

The Law Reform Commission (LRC) is due to report on loitering etc. We intend to consider the

recommendations made by the LRC and introduce any necessary changes during 1990.

The Official Secrets Act

Under article 23 of the draft Basic Law, Hong Kong will require to enact its own to prohibit treason, sedition, secession and theft of state secrets. Replacement of the Official Secrets Act must be effected by local legislation,

probably by an amendment to the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200).

This

A working group is to consider all aspects. group will also look at the Tele-communications

Ordinance and the Crime Ordinance and will aim to provide recommendations for dealing with all these

subjects before the middle of this year.

China

interest*

X

UK

interest*