TNAG-2525-FCO40-3688-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1992 — Page 8

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

TUE 15 DEC 92 68:20

PG.06

Benefits

CONFIDENTIAL

4

—

6.

These

are important Conventions

which have

codified and

developed the rules of

international

humanitarian law.

Their essential purpose is to reduce or

limit the suffering of individuals in time of war. It is vital that these protections should continue to extend to individuals in Hong

Kong so that in the event of conflict involving the territory,

other States would be bound to

respect and

fulfil the

obligations imposed by these

Conventions.

Proposals

7.

should

The British side

propose that these Conventions

continue to apply to the Hong Kong SAR after 30 June

1997

in accordance with the Joint

Declaration.

The

People's Republic of China ratified these Conventions before the United Kingdom on 28 December 1956 and provided it remains a party, it will be necessary only to ensure international rights and obligations currently Hong Kong are fully preserved in a manner consistent with the Joint Declaration and to whether any action is needed in this regard.

that the

affecting

consider

JF22

CONFIDENTIAL