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Govt fully committed to protection of children's rights

Following is a question by Dr the Hon David Li Kwok-po and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In the concluding observations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (the Committee) on a report submitted by the British Government in respect of Hong Kong under Article 44 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Committee recommended the establishment of an independent body in the territory to specifically monitor the execution of Government policy in relation to the rights of the child. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:

Reply:

(a)

(b)

Mr President,

whether the Government has a comprehensive policy on the promotion and protection of children's rights; and

what measures have been taken by the Government to review existing child-related legislation and services with a view to combating child abuse?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was extended to Hong Kong in 1994, contains comprehensive provisions on children's rights. We are fully committed to implementing the Convention as it applies to Hong Kong.

Children's rights span a wide range of policy areas, including education, social welfare, medical and health, security, sports and culture, to mention just a few. In this regard, instead of putting them all under one distinct child policy which would cut across and possibly duplicate other policies, we consider it more effective to continue to promote and protect children's rights through the policies of the respective branches. Under this arrangement, the relevant Policy Secretaries, assisted by their advisory boards and committees, will give in-depth consideration to the provisions in the Convention and translate them into some best practicable measures.

We are committing to protect children from all forms of abuse and maltreatment. This is done through a comprehensive framework of legislation and services which are kept under constant review to ensure that they continue to meet our objective of protecting the children in the best way possible.