TNAG-2284-FCO40-3285-Capital-punishment-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 111

FEBAAO/4

CONFIDENTIAL

Given the state of public opinion there is no prospect of persuading the territories to pass local legislation to

abolish capital punishment and an attempt to instruct

Governors in those territories where they are able to use

their reserved powers to force through such legislation

would spark fierce local controversy and break the

relationship of trust between the Governor and his local

Ministers.

Scope

5.

I propose to take action by a single Order in Council applying to the five Caribbean Dependent Territories (Anguilla, BVI, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and TCI). We have no powers to include Bermuda in the Order but action there can be deferred (C of Annex). As for Hong Kong, I do not propose action for the reasons also set out in the

Annex.

Timing

6. The need for action was always pressing and remains

SO now. In Anguilla, the Governor has undertaken to place the case of Joseph Paul, condemned to death last June, before his Executive Committee during the week beginning 18 February. Opinion on the island is unaninmous that Paul (a Grenadian who murdered a fellow

Grenadian) should hang, and there are no mitigating

circumstances which would otherwise justify the Governor commuting. Secondly, the Chief Minister to the British Virgin Islands, Mr Lavity Stoutt, who is to visit the UK on 7 March expects a reply to a letter which he wrote to

in December asking whether it is HMG's intention to

me

/proceed

CONFIDENTIAL