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機密

64.

We have also considered including a provision to the effect that nothing in the BOR shall be held to be inconsistent with the established policies in respect of indigenous villagers in the NT. Any provision in the BOR which effectively restricts its application in a manner inconsistent with the ICCPR will be regarded as a contravention of the ICCPR and will attract criticisms both locally and from human rights overseas. It would be seen as the Government giving in to pressure from the NT indigenous villagers.

65.

The LegCo Ad Hoc Group in its report endorses the principle of equality between the sexes. It does not accept the Heung Yee Kuk's representation and recommends that "the Administration should conduct a detailed study of the alleged conflict and, if the conclusion is that the Chinese customary laws and the New Territories Ordinance are inconsistent with the Bill, these laws should be

amended".

66.

On balance, we recommend we follow the course of action in in paragraph above.

ICAC and law enforcement agencies

67.

The effect of the BOR on the operational efficiency of the ICAC and law enforcement agencies, and hence law and order, attracted intense publicity. The majority of the DB members which spoke on this aspect of the BOR did not express a view on the specific question of exemption; they

however, concerned

were,

that the

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