TNAG-1331-FCO40-1758-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 330

4.49

THE INTERPRETATION OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

THE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON

CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

THE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

OMISSIONS IN THE DRAFT AGREEMENT

CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED OVER HOW THE VARIOUS RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS ENUMERATED IN THIS SECTION WOULD BE INTERPRETED. THE THREE MAIN AREAS WERE :

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FREEDOM OF THE PRESS THIS SHOULD MEAN FREEDOM OF EDITORIAL EXPRESSION AND OF NEWS REPORTING WITHOUT INTERFERENCE. A CONSOLIDATED ORDINANCE SHOULD BE ENACTED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY

PROTECTION:

FREEDOM OF RELIGION - THIS SHOULD INCLUDE FREEDOM

OF WORSHIP AND FREEDOM TO PREACH AND CONTINUATION

OF APPOINTMENT OF BISHOPS AND MISSIONARIES BY

RELIGIOUS ORDERS AND CHURCHES OUTSIDE HK: AND

FREEDOM OF TRAVEL

-

CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH

PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE HONG KONG

SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED.

IN ADDITION TO THE APPLICATION OF THE

INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AND THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, SOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS SUGGESTED THE INCORPORATION IN THE BASIC LAW OF A BILL OF RIGHTS WHICH WOULD CONTAIN THE NECESSARY CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION TO PROTECT CIVIL RIGHTS. IT WAS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE COULD BE PROTECTED BY FILING COMPLAINTS, IF NECESSARY, TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS: AND THAT A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE OR AN

OMBUDSMAN'S OFFICE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN HON KONG SAR.

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THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT ISSUES WERE SAID TO HAVE

BEEN OMITTED :

THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF A RIGHT OF POLITICAL BELIEF COUPLED WITH FREEDOM OF AFFILIATION TO

POLITICAL PARTIES: AND

THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM

AND THE ROLE TO BE PLAYED BY THE VOLUNTARY

ORGANIZATIONS.

SECTION XIV RIGHT OF ABODE, TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND

IMMIGRATION

SECRET-40 -

14.52.

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