XN000022-1994-12-10 — Page 2

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UN Human Rights Committee Report received

The Hong Kong Government has received the report issued yesterday (Friday) by the United Nations Human Rights Committee after its hearing on the economic, social and cultural rights situation in Hong Kong in Geneva between November 23 and 25.

A Government spokesman said today that the Government would study the report in detail as it was an important document through which the Committee made available to us their experience in the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights.

The spokesman said the Government was particularly glad to note the recognition that Hong Kong had prospered economically to a degree that placed considerable material resources at the disposal of the Government to enhance the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in the territory.

"We will make sure that the elements which help realise Hong Kong's economic success, in particular, the rule of law, will continue to operate to the benefit of the community, resulting in further promotion of economic, social and cultural rights," he said.

The spokesman said the Government was also pleased to note that members of the UN Committee were impressed by its efforts to make available to the Hong Kong community the International Covenant on. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the report prepared under the Covenant. "We will continue our efforts in this area," he said.

He said the Government took the whole reporting and hearing process under the Covenant very seriously.

"Our officials answered each and every question frankly and fully and we are pleased that our open attitude and serious efforts in this regard are publicly acknowledged by the Committee," the spokesman noted.

The spokesman said: "There is no reluctance on Government's part in maximising the protection of economic, social and cultural rights in Hong Kong, and a lot has been done in the past few years.