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Steps taken to ensure an open Government
Significant strides had been taken over the past year to make the Government more open and accountable, the acting Governor, Mrs Anson Chan, said today (Friday). Speaking at the Textile Council luncheon, Mrs Chan also stressed that much has been achieved in strengthening the protection on basic human freedom.
It should be recognised that what the Government had done not only in legislating against discrimination but also in promoting the values of equality, she said. She said the Administration had been charged with "dragging its feet" in some areas when in fact substantial progress had been made.
These included review of the laws that might impact on press freedom or freedom of expression and to improve the transparency of the Government.
"In all cases, our aim has been to provide for a proper balance between public order and safety and the individual's right to freedom of assembly and speech," she said.
"The moves that we have made ensure that our legal powers are fully consistent with the Bills of Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as applied to Hong Kong."
The enactment of the Sex Discrimination and Disability Discrimination ordinances during the last legislative session was something of which Hong Kong could justifiably be proud of, said Mrs Chan. The acting Governor noted that within the space of a year, a practical and effective Code on Access to information held by the Government had been developed.
"So, this is a working and effective administrative access system that is enhancing the transparency of the Government," she said.
To conclude, Mrs Chan said: "I believe that over the past year, we have made significant strides in making the Government more open and more accountable and in protecting the basic human freedoms which we all treasure.
"These freedoms coupled with our rule of law, now bolstered by enactment of the Court of Final Appeal Ordinance, and an open economy are what makes Hong Kong such an attractive place in which to live and work."
End/Friday, August 11, 1995