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2. As a result, persons in the SAR will enjoy the same protection of the law against infringements of their basic rights as they did
before the establishment of the SAR.
3. The text mentions specifically some particular rights and freedoms presently enjoyed under the law which are much valued in Hong Kong. In addition, rights of property including the right to compensation for deprivation is specifically mentioned in Section
VI.
4.
The covenants are too lengthy to reproduce but they are public documents and available to anyone. They apply to Hong Kong, with certain reservations, and, in accordance with the Joint Declaration, will continue to do so after 30 June 1997. The covenants were drafted by the United Nations Human Rights Commission and entered into force in 1976. They state a general consensus of nations on basic rights and identify in detail specific human rights and freedoms: including the right to work, to an adequate standard of living, to life and liberty and freedom from torture, of expression, conscience, religion and association.
5. The reservations entered by the United Kingdom in respect of the application of the covenants to Hong Kong, which are also public, took account of the realities of the social and economic conditions in Hong Kong: for example, the United Kingdom reserved the right to retain restrictions based on place of birth or residence on the right to work to safeguard the employment of Hong Kong workers.
(N) RIGHT OF ABODE, USE OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND IMMIGRATION
1.
This section of the annex contains provisions on the right of abode in Hong Kong, use of travel documents and control of immigration to the SAR. Its main features are:
(a)
It defines who will have right of abode in
Hong Kong after 1997. Broadly it provides for all those whose permanent homes are in Hong Kong to have the right to continue to live there.
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