THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1994
19
GOVT RESPONSE TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT
REMARKS REPORT:
A
GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY} MADE THE FOLLOWING IN RESPONSE TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES PRESENTED THEIR REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR ON APRIL 19.
THE GOVERNOR'S INITIAL REACTION WAS THAT THIS IS A THOUGHTFUL IMPRESSIVE REPORT AND THAT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS DESERVE THE GOVERNMENT'S EARLY AND CLOSE ATTENTION.
AND
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS TOO IMPORTANT A REPORT FOR SNAP JUDGMENTS OR COMMENTS.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOW STUDY THE ARGUMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND FORMULATE A RESPONSE. "WE HOPE TO BE IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE A FULL RESPONSE BY THE END OF JUNE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE
HUMAN RIGHTS ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN HONG KONG BY THE COMMUNITY, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE SPOKESMAN
SAID.
"OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO IDENTIFY THE RIGHT NEXT STEPS FOR HONG
KONG.
**
AMENDMENT PROPOSED TO TRAVEL AGENTS LAW
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED ΤΟ AMEND THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE TO BRING ONE OF ITS SECTIONS IN LINE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE BY TRANSFERRING THE POWER TO PROHIBIT A TRAVEL AGENT FROM LEAVING HONG KONG FROM THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS TO A MAGISTRATE.
THE
PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS CONTAINED IN THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT} BILL 1994 WHICH WILL BE GAZETTED. ON APRIL 29 AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 11.
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID SECTION 21 OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BUSINESS OF A TRAVEL AGENT IF HR SUSPECTED THAT THE BUSINESS WAS BEING CARRIED ON CONTRARY TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
HAVING DECIDED TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, THE REGISTRAR MAY SECTION 29 OF THE ORDINANCE REQUIRE A MAGISTRATE
A TO ISSUR PROHIBITION ORDER TO A TRAVEL AGENT TO PROHIBIT HIM FROM LEAVING HONG
UNDER
KONG.
/"LEGAL ADVICE
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