TNAG-2080-FCO40-2960-Hong-Kong-politically-sensitive-issues-1991 — Page 65

Issue

Objective/explanation

-

23

CONFIDENTIAL

Present status/progress

China-

interest*

UK

interest*

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs (Formerly SCA and S,GD)

Human Rights

To introduce measures to strengthen the protection of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms in the run up to 1997.

(a)

Public consultation on the draft Bill of Rights ended on 6 June

X

X

1990. Our plan is to introduce a Bill of Rights during the current legislation session (i.e. by July 1990).

(b) The question of China succeeding to UK's obligations in respect of the two

international human

rights covenants is

considered in the

context of the JLG IRO Sub-Group.

(c) The question of UK acceding to the

Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and

applying it to Hong

Kong is being considered by HMG.