THE LEGAL SYSTEM
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provide that the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) as applied to Hong Kong shall remain in force. The HKSAR's first reports in the light of the two covenants were submitted to the United Nations (UN) in January and June 1999, respectively. The hearing of the ICCPR report was held in November 1999. A Hong Kong delegation will attend the United Nations hearing of the ICESCR report in April/May 2001.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region continues to abide by the major international conventions on human rights, namely, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
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The HKSAR's initial report under the CAT was examined as part of China's third report
by the UN Committee Against Torture in May. A Hong Kong team attended the hearing as part of the Chinese delegation. The first report under the ICERD also formed part of China's combined eighth and ninth periodic report under the convention which was submitted to the UN in October.
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. The ordinance is administered by the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data.
Equal Opportunities Commission
The Equal Opportunities Commission is a statutory body that came into 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 in these aspects. In 2000, the commission handled 10 196 enquiries and 989 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 all over the territory and the broadcasting of a nine-episode docu-drama series on television to bring home the message of equal opportunities.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance provides for the appointment of a Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data to monitor, supervise and promote compliance with the Ordinance. The Privacy Commissioner's Office started full operation on December 20, 1996. In 2000, the office handled 19 332 enquiries and 692 complaints