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29.
As regards the idea of a Board of Enquiry which is a quasi-judicial body adjudicating cases that cannot be settled by the Commission, the Ad Hoc Group maintains an open mind. However this is an area that the Administration should look into when the idea of a Human Rights Commission is considered.
Recommendation
The Ad Hoc Group supports in principle the establishment of a Human Rights Commission, especially in view of the Group's observation of its implications on the extension of the legal aid scheme, the handling of inter-citizen rights, and the other benefits such an institution will bring about, and urges the Government to investigate the practicability of this proposal, taking into account all the representations received and views expressed.
Further Action by the Ad Hoc Group
30.
The Ad Hoc Group recommends that the views and recommendations in this paper, subject to their endorsement by the LegCo In-house meeting, be conveyed to the Administration. A LegCo Debate on the Draft Bill has been fixed for
27 June 1990.
31.
The Ad Hoc Group proposes that there should be a motion debate on the issue. The suggested motion is "that this Council supports the enactment of a Bill of Rights and urges the Government in drafting the blue bill to take into account the views expressed by this Council".
32.
In view of the tight schedule, the Group has not studied the Chinese text of the draft Ordinance and therefore cannot offer any comments in this area at this stage.
Summary of Recommendations
33.
(a) Having weighed the advantages and possible
disadvantages of a Bill of Rights, the Ad Hoc Group supports the introduction of a Bill of Rights in Hong Kong. The Group notes the critical comments on the Draft Bill from certain Chinese officials. In order to achieve the objective that the Bill of Rights continues to be in force beyond 30 June 1997, the Group urges the Administration to ensure the consistency with the Basic Law. The Group recommends that greater efforts be made to explain to the Chinese Authorities the value and purpose of a Bill of Rights in Hong Kong with the objective that the Bill will be allowed to exist beyond 30 June 1997.
(b) In the apparent absence of a more satisfactory method of entrenching the Bill of Rights beyond 30 June 1997 given the present wording of the Basic Law, the Group accepts the method of "indirect entrenchment" proposed by the Administration. The Group has considered the