7.
On top of these first steps, he added, the Government was now studying discrimination on the grounds of age, family status and sexual preference.
"We will consult the public on the extent of the problems identified in these areas and how to solve them. In this way, we aim to tackle discrimination through means best suited to the circumstances, norms and needs of our society."
At the international level, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was recently extended to the territory which obliges Hong Kong to respect and prolect children's rights.
Another recent "extension" was the Convention Against Torture which obliged the territory to outlaw and combat torture. Efforts in this area had been further strengthened by the enactment of the Crimes (Torture) Ordinance which prohibited torture, he said.
On channels to handle complaints, Mr Suen said the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints (COMAC) and other more specialised channels had served Hong Kong well and were constantly under review.
"Access to COMAC used to be by referral; now it is direct. Measures have also been taken to improve the system of handling of complaints against the police and action is in hand to make the Independent Police Complaints Council a statutory body," he said.
In spite of all these positive government measures to preserve and further human rights, Mr Suen said, it was still imperative for people to remain vigilant and assert their rights.
"Knowledge is a pre-requisite of such vigilance: people must be aware of what their rights are and why they should care about them before they can be effective watchdogs in their own best interests.
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"That is why we have devoted substantial resources and effort to human rights education and established a special education unit to support the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education in its efforts to promote public awareness," he said.
In conclusion, Mr Suen said all these measures, taken together, had laid a solid and reliable foundation for human rights protection in Hong Kong.