TNAG-1892-FCO40-2685-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 71

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V: HUMAN RIGHTS

BILL OF RIGHTS

Sure that early introduction of Bill of Rights will boost

confidence in Hong Kong.

Bill to be introduced by end of 1989 to give effect in local

law to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Will form part of existing law and continue after 1997.

ECONOMIC,SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS NOT REFLECTED IN BILL OF

RIGHTS?

Provisions of International Covenant on Economic, Social and

Cultural Rights different in nature. Not right which individuals

can easily enforce in courts.

For this reason not well suited for inclusion in Bill of

Rights designed to give equal the right of direct action in courts.

Hong Kong Government are fully committed to objectives of the

Covenant and seek to implement them through existing legislation and

policies.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CHINA NULLIFY ATTEMPTS TO PROTECT HUMAN

RIGHTS IN HONG KONG.

Basic principle that lies behind Joint Declaration is that Hong Kong should have its own laws and its own systems quite separate

from those of China.

Can well understand that violation of human rights in China

causes great concern in Hong Kong that human rights will not be protected in Hong Kong after 1997.

But Joint Declaration provides that system in Hong Kong will be

different. We are committed to working in every way we can to

uphold those provisions.