R
6 July 1993
Mrs J Chok
Government Secretariat
Lower Albert Road
Hong Kong
(By fax)
0313
STRY Taken
270-3642
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL QUESTION: HONG KONG'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS
Thank you for your fax of 5 July asking for comments on your draft response to the above question. My only comment is on supplementary no. 1. Although NGOs are of course free to express their views to the members of the British delegation attending the hearings of the reports, this is not something that we would wish to encourage. Not only would it hinder the work of the delegation, but it would also give little benefit to the NGOs. The delegation is, after all, called to answer questions on a report that has already been submitted. It would be more appropriate for NGOs to express their concerns to the British Government prior to the submission of the reports.
I suggest, therefore, that you reword your penultimate sentence along the following lines:
"However, this does not prevent NGOs from expressing their views directly to the British Government or to the relevant UN committees."
Miss N C Jackson
Human Rights Policy Department
cc: Mr Bunten, HKD
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