CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 3587
OF 130812Z NOVEMBER 91
CONFIDENTIAL
(73
162074
MDLIAN 3771
thre zu1/2
741
て
Q DIST?
PERSONAL FOR RICKETTS, HKD FROM GOVERNOR
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
1. THE LOCAL AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SPOKESWOMAN, MS ROBYN KILPATRICK, GAVE AN INTERVIEW ON ATV ON 8 NOVEMBER. IN THIS SHE MADE SOME GENERAL REMARKS ABOUT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MONITORING
THE VIETNAMESE REPATRIATION PROGRAMME AND ASKING THAT IT BE CARRIED OUT WITH DIGNITY, AND SAID THAT AMNESTY HAD COME TO LEARN THAT THERE WAS A DOUBLE-BACKER WHO MIGHT BE OF CONCERN TO THEM
AND WERE INVESTIGATING THIS CASE.
2. MY UNDERSTANDING HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT IT IS AMNESTY'S RULE
THAT THEIR BRANCH IN A PARTICULAR COUNTRY (OR TERRITORY) IS NOT PERMITTED TO COMMENT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THAT COUNTRY (OR TERRITORY). MS KILPATRICK'S GENERAL REMARKS ABOUT AMNESTY AND THE REPATRIATION PROGRAMME SEEM TO FALL WITHIN THIS RULE. THEY ARE THE SUBJECT OF A LETTER I HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF AMNESTY. BUT ON THE FACE OF IT HER SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE CASE OF AN INDIVIDUAL DOUBLE-BACKER BREACHES IT.
3. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY ADVICE THAT YOU OR ANY OTHERS IN
THE OFFICE CAN GIVE ON THIS. IF MS KILPATRICK HAS BREACHED THE AMNESTY RULE, THEN IT MIGHT BE WORTH WHILE FOR US TO BRING THIS TO THE ORGANISATION'S ATTENTION. I HAVE NO WISH TO MAKE A GREAT FUSS ABOUT IT. BUT IF SHE IS BEGINNING TO STRAY, IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR EVERYBODY TO REIN HER BACK BEFORE SHE GOES SERIOUSLY ASTRAY.
WILSON
YYYY
PAGE
1
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.