TNAG-2323-FCO40-3367-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-Vietnamese-boat-people-1991 — Page 149

CODE 18--77

Mr Walwyn

UND

HKC 241/4

RECC

PISTRY

23 JAN 1991

STRY

muon Taken

--

Reference.

Ms Margio.

л

zılı

5

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE:

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION TO THE

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

1.

I attach the Hong Kong Government's draft reply to the Centre for Human Rights which addresses the allegations made in the communication from the Orphan Refugees Sponsoring Association of Sydney.

2.

The draft responds to the substance of the criticisms as suggested in paragraph 7 of your minute of 15 November 1990 in addition to setting these allegations in context.

3. As you are aware, Legal advisers are now also considering what period of detention would be lawful under Hong Kong law in the light of a recent court ruling and the possibility that HMG'S reservation to the ICCPR does not cover lengthy periods of detention for BVP.

18 January 1990

CC:

Ms Barret, Legal Advisers Mr Stone, HKD

DOMINIC BRUCE SEAD

pa

BAR: VBP.