INGSAATULL}
V: HUMAN RIGHTS
BILL OF RIGHTS
Sure that early introduction of Bill of Rights will boost
confidence in Hong Kong.
Bill to be introduced by end of 1989 to give effect in local
law to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Will form part of existing law and continue after 1997.
ECONOMIC,SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS NOT REFLECTED IN BILL OF
RIGHTS?
Provisions of International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights different in nature. Not right which individuals
can easily enforce in courts.
For this reason not well suited for inclusion in Bill of
Rights designed to give equal the right of direct action in courts.
Hong Kong Government are fully committed to objectives of the
Covenant and seek to implement them through existing legislation and
policies.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CHINA NULLIFY ATTEMPTS TO PROTECT HUMAN
RIGHTS IN HONG KONG.
Basic principle that lies behind Joint Declaration is that Hong Kong should have its own laws and its own systems quite separate
from those of China.
Can well understand that violation of human rights in China
causes great concern in Hong Kong that human rights will not be protected in Hong Kong after 1997.
But Joint Declaration provides that system in Hong Kong will be
different. We are committed to working in every way we can to
uphold those provisions.