VI. HUMAN RIGHTS
There were significant developments on two fronts:
strengthen human rights
new or amended legislation to protection and new international obligations concerning human rights.
2.
1991.
A number
Ordinance, the
The Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance, which gives effect in local law to the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as applied to Hong Kong, has been in operation since June of ordinances, including the Immigration Societies Ordinance, the Crimes Ordinance, the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance and the Police Force Ordinance have been amended to bring them into line with the Bill of Rights. A body of local human rights jurisprudence is steadily accumulating.
3.
O
The Crimes
The United Nations Convention against Torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
was extended to Hong Kong in December.
(Torture) Ordinance, which makes
gives effect to the
time.
4.
torture an offence and
Convention, was enacted at the same
While the death penalty remains on the statue book as the mandatory penalty for murder, treason and piracy with violence, no death sentence has been carried out in Hong Kong since November 1966. An amending Bill to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment was enacted in [December]. (yet to be confirmed)
5.
territories in
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child was extended to Hong Kong and other dependent (date yet to be confirmed) The Convention serves as an importance reference point for formulation of policies and practices for promoting the
well-being of children.
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