TNAG-2321-FCO40-3365-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 373

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18-77

Mr Broom

UND

RESTRICTED

HKC241/5

21 OCT 1990

UN CONVENTION ON TORTURE: HONG KONG

Reference

1.

We have discussed Hong Kong telno 2882 on the telephone. I understand that your view, based on that of your Legal Advisers, is that Hong Kong legislation would have to be in

place before we could begin the process of extending the

convention to Hong Kong.

2.

I attach a copy of my minute of 15 June to Mr Rankin

which explains the background: you will also see the

manuscript minuting by Mr Anderson (who advised in Mr Rankin's absence) that the procedure proposed by Hong Kong in Hong Kong telno 4505 posed no problems.

3. I should be grateful if you could further consult your

Legal Advisers to clarify this point. In particular, what is the procedure involved in extending a convention to Hong Kong? If it is simply a matter of an Order in Council,

could work not begin on this once the Hong Kong legislation was well advanced but before it was actually in place?

19 October 1990

CC: Ms Barret o/r

CAMADL/1

literape

P A Major (Ms)

Hong Kong Department

WH305

270 2655

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