TNAG-2516-FCO40-3671-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1992 — Page 25

International Convention against the

Taking of Hostages, 1979

Item 10.9

The

International Convention against the Taking of

Hostages

(the

"Convention")

was

concluded on 18 December

1979 in New York

and entered

into force on 3 June 1983

(text at

in its

Annex A). The United Kingdom included Hong Kong

ratification of the Convention on 22 December 1982

(Reference at Annex B).

2.

The

aim

of

the

Convention

is

to

develop

international

co-operation between States in devising and

adopting effective measures for the prevention, prosecution

and

punishment

manifestations Of

person

who seizes

a

acts of

taking

of all

international terrorism (Preamble).

hostages

as

Any

to

a hostage in order to compel another

condition for the release of the hostage

do an act as

commits the offence of "hostage-taking"

under the

Anyone who attempts to take a hostage or who

commits an offence

Convention.

participates as an

(Article 1).

accomplice

also

CONFIDENTIAL