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Views on the implementation of Covenant invited
Views are invited from the Legislative Council, non-government organisations and other interested parties on the state of implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Hong Kong (ICCPR).
Following the Government's undertaking to give the Legislative Council, non- government organisations and other interested parties a formal opportunity to express their views on the state of implementation of the Covenant in Hong Kong before making a submission to the United Kingdom (UK), a letter was issued to the LegCo Panel on Home Affairs today (Tuesday).
A Government spokesman said the UK Government ratified the Covenant in 1976 in respect of the UK and its dependent territories, including Hong Kong.
"As a State Party to the Covenant, the UK Government is required under Article 40 of the Covenant to submit periodic reports to the Secretary General of the United Nations, for transmission to the Human Rights Committee for consideration," the spokesman said.
The UK Government has recently notified the Administration that it intends to submit its Fourth Periodic Report under the ICCPR in respect of the Dependent Territories to the United Nations in summer this year. The report will cover
developments up to December 31, 1994.
The Hong Kong Government will contribute to the report by preparing a draft submission to the UK on the implementation of the Covenant in Hong Kong.
"To enable the Administration to take into account views during the drafting of the report, and also to meet the deadline of submission set for this summer, any comments will need to reach the Administration before April 20, 1995."
To facilitate comments, the Administration has prepared an outline of topics which it intends to include in the draft report.
Non-government organisations or individuals who would like to express their views can write to the Secretary for Home Affairs before April 20, 1995.
Copies of the outline of the draft report can be obtained from the Home Affairs Branch, 31st floor, Southorn Centre, Wan Chai, on request.
End/Tuesday, March 7, 1995