XN000022-1995-07-28 — Page 57

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Mr President, while we very much support the laudable principle of equal opportunities for all as enshrined in this Bill, the Administration regrets that it cannot recommend this Bill to Members for the reasons mentioned above and will vote against it.

End/ Friday, July 28, 1995

Equal Opportunities (Religious or Political Conviction, Trade Union Activities and Spent Conviction) Bill

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, at the Resumption of the second reading of the Equal Opportunities (Religious or Political Conviction, Trade Union Activities and Spent Conviction) Bill in the Legislative Council today (Friday):

I would like to emphasise again that the Hon. Anna Wu's intention to promote equal opportunities in the area of religious or political conviction, spent conviction and Trade Union Membership is shared by me. However, her approach, a transplantation of overseas legislation onto the local scene, without due consideration of the effect of so doing, is something that I cannot accept.

Freedom in Religious/Political Conviction

In Hong Kong, every faith is practised with complete freedom unless its operation is prejudicial to the security of Hong Kong. We also have complete freedom to hold and express different political views.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

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The government recognises the importance of rehabilitation of offenders and is glad that we have been able to enlist public support in this respect. Members of our community are far more tolerant towards ex-offenders nowadays. We have adopted measures to assist this minority group to re-integrate into society through the successful implementation of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Ordinance.

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