TNAG-2808-FCO40-4053-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1994 — Page 52

1 July 1993

24 031/3

RECER

.STRY

1993

STRY

270-3642

Mrs J Chok

Government Secretariat

lower Albert Road

Hong Kong

(By fax)

Ma

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

1.

N/A

Thank you for your fax of 30 June to Rod Bunten on the above. It was passed to me for reply since I deal with Dependent Territory reporting obligations under international human rights instruments.

2. Your answer to question (a) is correct. With regard to (b), the next report for Hong Kong under Articles 6-15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is due in June 1994. (Details of the timing of Hong Kong's next reports under international human rights instruments can be found in my letter of 10 May to Ms A Chiu).

3. I agree that the supplementary question which may follow question (c) would be rather more tricky. Governments are encouraged to include NGOs in the reporting process. The UK approach to this is varied. For the majority of reports, NGOS are not directly consulted, although they may occasionally be consulted informally. However, NGOs are being closely consulted in the preparation of the Metropolitan Report under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. A group of NGOs is also preparing an alternative ICCPR report for submission to the Human Rights Committee. suggest, therefore, that you reply to any supplementary question on NGOS along the following lines:

I

"Non-governmental organisations are consulted in the preparation of reports as appropriate. This is normally done informally."

Miss N C Jackson

Human Rights Policy Department

cc: Mr Bunten, HKD

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