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Writing Peace: The National Archives of the UK (TNA)

Enclosure: Cover Letter from E C Hallett to Quentin Thomas Enclosing Note on Amnesties Granted by the British Government in the Context of Negotiations for Independence

Tuesday, 04 December 1990

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This is the cover letter for E C Hallett's paper on case studies of the British Government granting amnesties in Cyprus, India, Ghana, Kenya and Ireland (1916-1921), with a summary of the same.

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4 December 1990

Q J Thomas, Esq.,
Northern Ireland Office
Room 1/106
Old Admiralty Building

[Dear Quentin]

"AMNESTIES" IN THE CONTEXT OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE FROM BRITISH RULE

1. You asked me to undertake some research on past examples of the granting of amnesties in the context of negotiations for independence from British rule. I am sorry that this has taken longer than expected to complete, but it has not always been easy to locate the necessary information.

2. I have looked at the cases of Cyprus, Kenya, India, Gold Coast/Ghana and Ireland, 1916-21. The results are set out in the attached note. I am not sure, having done the research, how relevant these examples might be to any future situation. It should be borne in mind that all the above territories, except Ireland, were colonies. As such, they were administered by British appointed governors who had wide ranging powers to declare a state of emergency. This enabled them, inter alia, to introduce detention and deportation of persons without trial. Such powers were frequently resorted to in colonial situations against any individuals or groups who caused difficulty for the British authorities even where, as was the case in India and the Gold Coast for example, this took non-violent form. It follows that persons detained without trial could simply be released as and when the authorities considered it expedient to do so, without the need for any formal amnesty to be granted.

3. I hope the above is helpful. You will no doubt let me know if you require more detailed information on any particular case or if you would like further examples to be examined.

[Yours
E C Hallett]

E C Hallett
International & Commonwealth Section
Research & Analysis Department

cc: Mr Cooke NIO (L)
Mr Rickard, NIO (L)