NEWS SEPTEMBER 2003

The Netherlands began allowing doctors to issue prescriptions for cannabis on 1 September, with the aim of providing pain relief for patients suffering from cancer and other conditions. The drug, while tolerated for sale through licensed shops only, was still technically illegal in the country and remains so today.

On 5 September the chief executive of Hong Kong, Tung Chee‑hwa, announced the withdrawal of the National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill 2003.

This bill was introduced in February 2003, and had been intended to fulfil Article 23 of Hong Kong’s

Basic Law, which requires the Hong Kong government to pass a national security law. Opponents of the bill had been concerned over curbs on freedom to criticise the government, the proposal to give police rights to enter residential properties without a warrant, and the broad international application of the bill. At present, China is still attempting to spread its influence over Hong Kong.

The Swedish minister for foreign affairs, Anna Lindh, was stabbed while shopping in a Stockholm department store on 10 September. Despite nine hours of surgery and transfusions, she was unable to recover and died on 11 September. On 24 September, 24‑year‑old Mijailo Mijailovi was arrested in connection with the murder. He eventually confessed in January 2004 and was found guilty at trial, receiving a life sentence that he is still serving today. In 2011, the murderer claimed to have committed the crime due to a hatred of all politicians, due to belief that his situation was hopeless.