XN000022-1995-09-01 — Page 9

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Legislation to promote equal opportunity

Hong Kong has taken a number of major steps forward in terms of legislation in 1995 to promote equal opportunity and integration into the community for people with a disability.

This is stated by the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Ian Strachan, when he attended the 4th International Abilympics Conference at Perth, Australia, today (Friday).

Delivering a speech on "Anti-discrimination and Equal Opportunity", Mr Strachan said the Hong Kong Government fully subscribed to the principle that people with a disability should enjoy the same basic rights as other members of the community.

"We fully recognise the importance and need to develop legislation in areas such as establishment and safeguarding of human rights; measures to permit full participation by people with a disability; and measures to provide for equalisation of opportunities for all vulnerable groups in community life," he said.

On planned changes in legislation to help persons of intellectual impairment give evidence in court, Mr Strachan said these new measures included the use of Cantonese in court proceedings; special procedures at the trial, for example, judges and lawyers would wear ordinary clothes instead of their usual robes; the giving of evidence by means of a television link; and the use of video recording of statements which can be used as evidence in court.

"In addition, we have completed a review of our Mental Health Ordinance and are drafting proposed amendments to it," he said.

"Our primary aim is to improve the rights and well-being of people with mental handicap and mental illness."

Mr Strachan said new measures included the setting up of a Guardianship Board to make independent decisions on issues related to guardianship for mentally incapacitated adults; additional provisions on the management of property and financial affairs of mentally handicapped and mentally ill persons; as well as new provisions on consent to medical and dental treatment.

"All these, I am sure, will go a long way towards bringing people with a disability more fully into the community," he said.

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