TNAG-2866-FCO40-4120-Proposed-extension-of-the-Convention-on-the-Elimination-of-D-1993 — Page 4

HOUSE HONG KUNG.

•

CONFIDENTIAL #

- 2

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moved

ت

the

Emily Lau

a Motion in LegCo calling Administration "to support the extension to Hong Kong of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and to request the British Government to take the necessary action to so extená the Convention forthwith". The motion was carried, with the Government announcing that a Green Paper would be published. Miss Lau, replying at end of the Debate, acknowledged this

with

Group

reluctance.

At 2 recent meeting of the LegCo Ad Roc on Women's Commission, Members once again called for the extension of CEDAW and the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation to Hong Kong. They see the Green Paper exercise as a delaying tactic.

5.

above and opinion expressed in the

well find itself under pressure to

Judging from the

media, the Goverment may

accede to CEDAW. To prepare ourselves for such a scenario, we are taking steps to assess whether Hong Kong is in a position to comply with the requirements of CEDAW in terms of its legislation, policies and practices, and what reservations and declarations might be needed upon any extension OF the Convention to Hong Kong by the United Kingdom. This is

necessary because once the Convention is extended to Hong Kong, the United Kingdom would be obliged, as a matter of international law, to ensure that the Convention was being faithfully implemented in Hong Kong and would be required to

periodically to the relevant UN organ. these obligations would pass to the PRC.

report

After 1997

Constitutional Affairs Branch

26 May 1993

MIS122

CONFIDENTIAL #

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