1933-07-20 18:21 INFORMATION SERVICES DEPT
852 521 7725 P.03/06
Q.26
What is going to happen to our NT policies, practices and
legislation ?
A. 26
The Government has decided not to exempt the traditional rights
and customs of the indigenous population in the New Territories.
The Bill of Rights is designed to implement the provisions of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its
impact on present law, practices and policies in Hong Kong
depends upon authoritative interpretation of the relevant
articles of the ICCPR. To date there has been no such
authoritative interpretation. The Government is of the view that
the customary law of the New Territories is not in conflict with
the BOR. It is our belief that if the tradition of male
inheritance is a way of life for New Territories residents and
does no harm to the community, it would not be held as
discrimination.
Thus it
Anyone who wishes to dispute this may do so in
the normal way through the courts, as they would in seeking
interpretation not previously given for any other law.
is not correct to say the Government has 'passed the buck' on
this matter to the cours.
-3-
TOTAL P.03