THE LEGAL SYSTEM
The Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap. 383), enacted in 1991 to give effect in domestic law to the provisions of the ICCPR, remains in force.
The Family Status Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 527) enacted in June 1997-outlaws discrimination against a person on the ground that the person has the responsibility for the care of an immediate family member. This, the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480) and the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 487) are overseen by the Equal Opportunities Commission.
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) — enacted in August 1995 — protects an individual's right to privacy with respect to personal data. It also gives statutory effect to internationally recognised principles of data protection. In 1999, in addition to its ongoing task of handling complaints lodged under the ordinance, the Privacy Commissioner's Office undertook a variety of activities to promote compliance with and awareness of the ordinance. These included seminars, Announcements of Public Interest on television and roadshows. It also published a prescribed form for data access requests and a variety of guidance materials in relation to identity card numbers, consumer credit data and privacy protection on the Internet.
Director of Intellectual Property
The post of Director of Intellectual Property was established in 1990 as a statutory office by the Director of Intellectual Property (Establishment) Ordinance. The Intellectual Property Department operates the Trade Marks, Patents and Designs Registries. The department is also responsible for making recommendations on the policy and legislation related to intellectual property protection, provision of civil intellectual property legal advice to government departments and promotion of public awareness and respect of intellectual property rights.
Equal Opportunities Commission
The Equal Opportunities Commission, established under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, started full operation on September 20, 1996. Overseeing the implementation of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, the Disability Discrimination Ordinance and the Family Status Discrimination Ordinance, the commission works towards the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of gender, disability and family status and promotes equality of opportunities between women and men, between persons with and without a disability and irrespective of family status. In 1999, the commission handled 7 111 enquiries and 536 complaints relating to the three anti-discrimination ordinances. It also undertook a variety of activities to promote awareness, understanding of and compliance with the ordinances, including the launching of a series of community roadshows to spread the equal opportunities message in all 18 districts in Hong Kong over the next three years and the development of a equal opportunities teaching kit to foster the understanding of equal opportunities among kindergarten children.
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