TNAG-2284-FCO40-3285-Capital-punishment-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 67

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FM FCO

TO PRIORITY HONG KONG

TELNO 1241

OF 04115OZ JULY 91

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

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RECEI

pa Cap Pun

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040704

MDLOAN 6518

1991

1.

THE IRISH SECTION OF AMNESTY

INTERNATIONAL HAS WRITTEN

TO THE PRIME MINISTER PROTESTING AGAINST THE RECENT PROPOSAL

TO RESUME EXECUTIONS IN HONG KONG.

2.

WE PROPOSE TO REPLY AT DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL AS FOLLOWS:

''YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE SEEN THE RESULT OF THE DEBATE IN THE HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON 26 JUNE. THE EVENT, THE PROPOSAL TO WHICH YOUR LETTER REFERS WAS DEFEATED BY AN AMENDMENT CALLING FOR THE DEATH PENALTY TO BE FORMALLY

ABOLISHED AND REPLACED WITH THE SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT. IT IS FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NOW CONSIDERING THIS. IN THE MEANTIME, THE DEATH PENALTY WILL CONTINUE TO BE COMMUTED TO PERIODS OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE IN HONG KONG SINCE NOVEMBER 1966.''

3.

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THIS CAUSES YOU ANY PROBLEMS.

HURD

YYYY

MAIN

18

LIMITED

HKD

PS/LORD CAITHNESS

ADDITIONAL

2

MS BARRETT, LEGAL ADVISERS

DISTRIBUTION

20

SIR J COLES

MR BURNS

PAGE

MISS BROCKS, LEGAL ADVISERS

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