TNAG-2808-FCO40-4053-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1994 — Page 46

R

6 July 1993

Mrs J Chok

Government Secretariat

Lower Albert Road

Hong Kong

(By fax)

0313

STRY Taken

270-3642

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL QUESTION: HONG KONG'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS

Thank you for your fax of 5 July asking for comments on your draft response to the above question. My only comment is on supplementary no. 1. Although NGOs are of course free to express their views to the members of the British delegation attending the hearings of the reports, this is not something that we would wish to encourage. Not only would it hinder the work of the delegation, but it would also give little benefit to the NGOs. The delegation is, after all, called to answer questions on a report that has already been submitted. It would be more appropriate for NGOs to express their concerns to the British Government prior to the submission of the reports.

I suggest, therefore, that you reword your penultimate sentence along the following lines:

"However, this does not prevent NGOs from expressing their views directly to the British Government or to the relevant UN committees."

Miss N C Jackson

Human Rights Policy Department

cc: Mr Bunten, HKD

16