2
reducing the incidence of serious crimes".
In Asia, the Philippines abolished the death penalty in 1987. It has been abolished de facto in Nepal since 1979; in Japan, which still retains the death penalty, no execution has been carried out since November 1989.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send Telexes/faxes:
- expressing concern at the proposal to resume executions in Hong Kong and stating Amnesty International's opposition to the death penalty on the grounds that it constitutes the ultimate form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and that it violates the right to life;
- stressing that the effectiveness of the death penalty is increasingly questioned and that the resumption of executions would be contrary to both world and regional trends towards the abolition if the death penalty, both in practice and in law;
- stressing the need for full public information about the facts surrounding the use of the death penalty and the reasons for abolition;
·
urging the Hong Kong Legislative Council to take a principled stand against the death penalty and to work towards its
total abolition.
APPEALS TO: (ONE APPEAL ONLY TO THE ASTERISKED OFFICIAL).
The Honourable Dame Lydia Dunn Member, Legislative Council
8 Jackson Road, Hong Kong
Telex-x: 62553 OMELC HX
Fax: (852) 845 2444 or (852) 521 7518
The Honourable Allen Lee Peng-fei Member, Legislative Council.
8 Jackson Road, Hong Kong Telexes: 62553 OMFLC HX
Faxes: (852) 845 2444 or (852) 521 7518
The Honourable Maria Tam Wai-chu Member, Legislative Council
8 Jackson Road, Hong Kong Telexx: 62553 OMELC HX
Faxes: (852) 845 2444 or (852) 521 7518
FOR
The Honourable Kinglsey Sit Ho-fin Member, Legislative Council
8 Jackson Road, Hong Kong
Telexes: 62553 OMELC HX Faxes: (852) 810 0655
INFORMATION ON!
The Honourable J. F. Mathews, Attorney General Ex-officio member, Legislative Council
Legal Department
66 Queensway, Hong Kong Telexex: 81710 HKAGC HX
Faxes: (852) 869 0720
South China Morning Post, GPO Box 47, Hong Kong Faxes: (852) 811 1048 or (852) 811 1278
Hsin Pao (Hong Kong Daily News), GPO Box 1586, Hong Kong
Faxes (852) 819 8717
COPIES TO:
His Excellency the Governor, Sir David Wilson Government House, Hong Kong
His Excellency the Prime Minister, John Major 10 Downing Street
London, SW1A 2AA
United Kingdom
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
FOR INFORMATION ONLY
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you are a regular Urgent Action participant please inform your local group coordinator if you are unable to respond to this appeal.
Please take action as soon as you receive this Urgent Action appeal. Carefully read the recommended action. If possible, send a telex telegram or express letter immediately to one or more of the addresses given. Other letters can be sent afterwards. An explanatory booklet is available from the British Section Office.
☛Telegrams and letters should be brief and courteous. Stress that your concern for human rights is not in any way politically partisan. Refer to relevant provisions in international law, such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The name of Amnesty International may be used, although letters written in a private or personal capacity may be more effective.
In Urgent Action cases, Amnesty International has to act rapidly to prevent the ill-treatment of prisoners. An appeal is issued when Amnesty International believes it has received reliable and accurate information in such cases. It is not always possible to verify all details independently and in some instances the situation outlined in the appeal may change. Urgent Action participants are always notified of any significant new facts.
Copies of any replies received from government authorities should be sent immediately to the Urgent Action coordinator at the British Section Office. If appropriate, thank the official who has replied and ask to be kept informed about the case.
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