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The spokesman explained that this constituted an extremely important and helpful statement of international law principles and expressed the hope that the two sovereign states concerned would cooperate with the Human Rights Committee to ensure that reporting for Hong Kong would continue after July 1997.

He also said the Committee's request for a special report in 1996 would be met.

In addition, the spokesman welcomed the Committee's recognition for the significant number of measures that the Government had taken in recent years to enhance the protection of human rights in Hong Kong.

The following are the positive aspects mentioned by the Committee in its concluding observations released today:

*The Committee welcomes the initiatives taken by the Government with a view to ensuring the full implementation of the Covenant in Hong Kong, in future as well as at present. In that regard, the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the question of Hong Kong appears to provide a sound legal basis for the continued protection of the rights as specified in the Covenant.

* The Committee welcomes the enactment of the Bill of Rights Ordinance in

June 1991.

* The Committee takes note with appreciation of the various ordinances that have been reviewed as to their conformity with the Bill of Rights and amended accordingly, and also appreciates the continuing process of reviewing and updating of relevant legislative provisions in that regard.

*The Committee welcomes efforts being made by the authorities to disseminate information on human rights to members of the judiciary, civil servants, teachers and the public in general, including school-age children.

The Committee further welcomes the recent enactment of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance and the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, the aims of which include the elimination of discrimination against women and disabled persons. It welcomes the oral information provided by the authorities that an Equal Opportunities Commission will be established in the first quarter of 1996 with power to recommend draft laws and draft amendments to these ordinances.