TNAG-2284-FCO40-3285-Capital-punishment-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 125

CONFIDENTIAL

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Cap Pur (13)

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MDHOAN 8301

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CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO DESKBY 21140OZ ANGUILLA

TELNO 25

OF 21113OZ FEBRUARY 91

AND TO IMMEDIATE TORTOLA, GRAND CAYMAN, PLYMOUTH, GRAND TURK AND TO IMMEDIATE HAMILTON

INFO IMMEDIATE BRIDGETOWN, HONG KONG, UKMIS NEW YORK INFO ROUTINE KINGSTON, PORT OF SPAIN, GEORGETOWN, NASSAU INFO ROUTINE WASHINGTON

PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR

CARIBBEAN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: PUNISHMENT

ABOLITION OF CAPITAL

1. AT A MEETING OF SENIOR MINISTERS ON 14 FEBRUARY, IT WAS DECIDED TO INITIATE A CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON THE POSSIBILITY OF ABOLISHING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR MURDER IN THE CARIBBEAN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES, TO BE EFFECTED BY RECOMMENDING TO HM THE QUEEN THAT SHE APPROVE AN APPROPRIATE ORDER IN COUNCIL. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DTS WOULD, AS IN THE UK, BE RETAINED FOR THE OFFENCE OF TREASON. THE ORDER WOULD APPLY TO THE FIVE CARIBBEAN DTS ONLY AND NOT REPEAT NOT TO HONG KONG OR BERMUDA.

2. IT IS PROPOSED TO SUBMIT THE ORDER IF POSSIBLE TO THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH OR TUESDAY 16 APRIL (FOR SECURITY REASONS THESE DATES MUST BE HELD STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL). A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION WOULD BE ARRANGED TO ANNOUNCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE ORDER EITHER BEFORE THAT DAY OR IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THE ORDER WOULD BE LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT ON THE SAME DAY AS THE PRIVY COUNCIL MEETING AND WOULD ENTER INTO FORCE TWENTY ONE DAYS THEREAFTER. 3. MINISTERS HAVE INSTRUCTED THAT WE SHOULD PROVIDE FOR TWO WEEKS CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BEFORE THE ORDER IS MADE, AND THAT FIRM PROPOSALS FOR DECISION IN THE LIGHT OF THIS CONSULTATION WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE LORD PRESIDENT.

YOU SHOULD THEREFORE INITIATE CONSULTATIONS FROM 25 FEBRUARY ONWARDS AND REPORT BY 11 MARCH ON THE RESULTS, SO THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY PREPARE THE NECESSARY MINUTE. WE DO NOT EXPECT

THE RESULTS OF YOUR CONSULTATIONS TO AFFECT THE TIMETABLE FOR MAKING THE ORDER AS MINISTERS ARE ALREADY AWARE THAT THERE

WILL BE OPPOSITION FROM SOME QUARTERS EG THE CHIEF MINISTER OF

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CONFIDENTIAL