XN000022-1994-06-03 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1994

NEW AS

"SINCE THE APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION WILL CONFER INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG, AND IT IS INTENDED THAT SUCH INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997, WE WILL, AS THE FIRST STEP, CONSULT THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE PROPOSED EXTENSION THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, HE SAID.

가

"IN SEEKING TO EXTEND CEDAW TO HONG KONG, WE INTEND TO ASK THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT TO ENTER RESERVATIONS TO COVER THE PROVISION OF RENT CONCESSION UNDER ANNEX III TO THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE SMALL HOUSE POLICY.

PRESENT POLICIES

"THE PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF OUR PROPOSED RESERVATIONS IS TO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE OUR

IN RESPECT OF THESE TWO AREAS," HE ADDED.

HB SAID INSTITUTION OF SEX DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION WAS A MEANS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS IN CEDAW.

"MANY STATES PARTIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM, HAVE INSTITUTED SEX DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION. CHINA, WHICH IS ALSO A PARTY TO THE CONVENTION, ENACTED A SET OF LEGISLATION ΤΟ PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN 1992.

"DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION AGAINST SEX DISCRIMINATION AND CONSULTATION WITH CHINA ON THE EXTENSION OF CEDAW TO HONG KONG WILL PROCEED IN PARALLEL,' HE SAID.

REITERATING THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRM COMMITMENT TO UPHOLD EQUALITY BETWEEN THE SEXES, MR SUEN SAID WHILE THE ABOVE PROPOSALS WERE BEING PUT INTO PLACE, PUBLIC EDUCATION ON GENDER EQUALITY WOULD BE STEPPED

UP.

"WE WILL, FOR INSTANCE, ENLIST EMPLOYERS' CO-OPERATION то PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKPLACE.

"THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS STRATEGY IS TO REMOVE POTENTIAL. INJUSTICE OR UNFAIR RESTRICTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S PROSPECTS ON ACCOUNT OF HIS OR HER GENDER.

"WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE EFFECTIVE, PRACTICAL AND WILL SERVE HONG KONG'S NEEDS WELL, HE SAID.

H

MR SUEN PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MANY ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD AIRED THEIR VIEWS ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE OF PUBLIC CONCERN.

COMMUNITY'S

"ALL OF THEM HAVE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS MEETING THE ASPIRATION OF FOSTERING GENDER EQUALITY IN HONG KONG," HE SAID,

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