Aliens — Political asylum — Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951 — Convention ratified by the United Kingdom but not extended to Hong Kong — Whether Convention part of the law of Hong Kong

Human rights — Right to life — Due process — International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 — United Kingdom party to the Covenant — Covenant extended to Hong Kong with reservation that Article 13 not applicable in Hong Kong — Chinese illegal immigrants applying for political asylum — Whether principles of natural justice apply — Whether specific legislative provisions to override principles of natural justice

Sources of international law — Customary international law — Whether part of common law — International migration law — Whether principle of non-refoulement applicable where inconsistent municipal legislation

Treaties — Application — Colony — Treaty ratified by United Kingdom but not extended to Hong Kong — The law of Hong Kong