I REFER to the article which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on October 6, headlined, 'Boycott threat by CSD officers'. The issue of prosecutions of persons who allegedly committed assaults on Correctional Services Department (CSD) officers at the Whitehead Detention Centre on May 20, is clear - if there is sufficient evidence, they should be charged. Equally, if the videos (which have yet to be made available for public inspection) reveal assaults, that is, the use of excessive force in the removal of Vietnamese, then those responsible should be brought to justice. Whether or not an individual is arrested and charged cannot and should not depend upon factors which are irrelevant to the ultimate question of guilt or innocence. One such factor which has been suggested as the main motivation for the reluctance to prosecute is the possibility that the resultant sentences could stretch beyond the resumption of sovereignty by the Chinese in July 1997. Since there are adequate extradition treaties with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, this can hardly be said to be an insuperable or even significant hurdle. Speculation as to whether the Vietnamese will be charged is as unfair to them, as it is frustrating to the CSD officers. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) should put an end to the speculation by stating clearly either that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute, or that prosecutions will be launched forthwith. TONY LEUNG Chairman Refugee Concern
