NATIONALITY ISSUES
111. I wish to turn briefly to an issue to which Members have devoted a great deal of time and effort: the question of British nationality for British passport holders among the non-Chinese ethnic minorities in Hong Kong and for the wives and widows of Hong Kong's ex-servicemen. It is very proper for this Council and for our society to ensure that the anxieties of these people are not forgotten.
112. I have conveyed these concerns very vigorously to Ministers in London. They have responded with formal reassurances both in statements to Parliament and in responses to the Executive Council and Members of this Council. I have to say that these have not gone as far as Hong Kong would want. Let me assure this Council that I will continue to press the British Government as strongly as I can for a better deal for our ethnic minorities and for the wives and widows of our ex-servicemen.
AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
113. In a modern, urban society it is all too easy to ignore the rights and personal dignity of the individual. It is particularly important that the Government should set its face against such attitudes. I am therefore asking the Secretary for Home Affairs to take responsibility for human rights issues and for related policy areas such as press freedom and data protection. This arrangement will make it easier for the Government to respond to the concerns of this Council and the community at large.
A Woman's Place
114. Freedom from discrimination is one of the cornerstones of our open society. But I know that many people believe that we have given insufficient attention to whether half of our population, Hong Kong's women, are fairly treated and adequately protected. We issued a Green Paper on women's rights in August to ascertain the views of the public on how to promote equal opportunity and end discrimination. From the comments we have already received, it is clear that the big issue for many people is whether Hong Kong should join CEDAW-the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. We shall consider constructively the very strong views expressed by Members and the public on this point, and I hope to be able to announce our decision early next year.
27