TNAG-1846-FCO40-2621-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 3

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P.02

GOVERNMENT SECRATARIAT

Submission to the Foreign Affairs Committee

Human rights in Hong Kong

In 1976 Her Majesty's Government ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant

Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICES) with certain reservations (1), and extended the Covenants to all British dependent territories including Hong

Kong.

Application of the Covenants

2.

There is no specific requirement in the Covenants as to 'how effect should be given to their provisions. Article 2(2) of the ICCPR states that

that where not already provided for by existing legislative or other measures, each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to take the necessary steps..... to adopt such legislative or other measures as may be necessary to give effect to the rights, recognised in

in the present, Covenant.' Article 2(1) of the ICES provides that 'Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to take steps .... with

view

to

Note (1)!

reservations applicable to Hong Kong relates to legislation on equal pay for

equal pay for equal work for both sexes, federation of trade unions, representative government, And appeal against the authority's decision on deportation.