TNAG-2284-FCO40-3285-Capital-punishment-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 232

Cill Soling und Frau Lissy

To the Hsin Pao (Hong Kong Daily News)

Dear Sirs,

Kronprinzenallee 162, Tel. 0202/424238 Wuppertal-Elberfeld

Postanschrift:

25.6.91

Postfach 100111, D-5600 Wuppertal i

Herewith I express my concern at the proposal to resume executions in Hong Kong and state Amnesty International's opposition to the death penalty on the grounds that it constitues the ultimate form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punsihment and that it violates the right to life.

I stress 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 of the death penalty, both in practice and in law.

I stress furthermore the need for full public information about the facts surrounding the use of the death penalty and the reasons for abolition.

I urge the Hong Kong Legislative Council to take a principled stand against the death penalty and to work towards its total abolition.

Sincerely Yours,

Mie King