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SCMP Reporter

Prisoners convicted in Thailand but serving their sentences here want to know whether they will benefit from Thai royal pardons after the handover.

  They have queried legislators after receiving no answer from the Security Branch.

  There are 31 prisoners in Hong Kong serving long or life sentences in Stanley Prison after being convicted of drug offences in Thailand.

  One who gave his name as Wong, 38, who transferred from a Thai prison to Stanley last October, said transferred inmates were uncertain of their status.

  'Most of us have been sentenced to 40, 50 years or life for drug offences,' said Wong.

  He was given a life sentence by a Thai court in 1987 for trafficking in dangerous drugs, but has benefited from two royal pardons.

  The first one reduced his life sentence to 50 years. A second one in June last year reduced his term to 40 years as part of celebrations in Thailand to mark the 50th anniversary of the king's enthronement.

  Three transferred prisoners were released from jails in the same amnesty.

  'A royal pardon is the only hope for us. But we're not sure if it would continue to extend to us after the handover,' he said.

  Hong Kong has arrangements with 24 countries for transfer of prisoners to their home countries.

  But these agreements do not extend beyond the handover.

  The Government has begun negotiating with five countries - Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States - to extend the transfer arrangements after a consensus was reached by the Joint Liaison Group.

  'If I had known amnesty would be a stumbling block after a transfer, I would not have applied for it [transfer],' said Wong.

   There are about 80 Hong Kong people serving sentences in Thai jails.

  Half have applied to be transferred to Hong Kong.

  A Security Branch spokesman said the aim was to conclude as many new arrangements as possible with other countries before the handover.

  'For the royal pardon, each case would be considered on its own merits,' he wrote.



Amnesty fears for prisoners