8.
The enforcement of the provisions of the Bill, Mr Wilson said, would be carried out by the courts and the Equal Opportunities Commission which was going to be set up
under the Sex Discrimination Bill.
The Commission will receive and investigate complaints of discrimination, Where this fails, most of which are likely to be settled through conciliation. complainants can take their cases to the courts.
The Commission will also issue Codes of Practice so that all parties involved will have practical guidelines to follow regarding how they are expected to behave in any given sector.
In drafting these codes, the Commission will consult groups representing people with a disability and the sector concerned.
A special District Court will be set up to deal with cases under the Disability Discrimination Bill and the Sex Discrimination Bill.
Mr Wilson said although the Government was spending $34 million between 1993-94 and 1996-97 on activities to promote a more positive attitude towards people with a disability, it was clear that not all the Government wished to achieve could be achieved by persuasion and education alone.
"That is why in July last year we recognised we would need to do more and we announced our intention to draft disability discrimination legislation.
"Hong Kong can be proud to join the growing ranks of places in the world the law to protect them where people with a disability have a powerful weapon the law against discrimination and to fight for equal opportunities.
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"It is going to make a very real difference to their lives. And I look to the community to respond positively to this new and exciting challenge," he added.
Concluding, Mr Wilson called on the press to help change public attitudes towards people with a disability in the community.
He noted that in an ideal world the Disability Discrimination Bill should not be needed.
"But in the real world in which we live, it is a necessary and useful tool which people with a disability can use to obtain the fair deal they deserve," he said.
End/Tuesday, April 11, 1995
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