ENG-1998 — Page 74

THE LEGAL SYSTEM

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Hong Kong's first report under the CEDAW was submitted to the UN in August as part of China's report. A Hong Kong team will attend the hearing in February 1999 as part of the Chinese delegation. The first report under the CAT will also form part of China's report and a Hong Kong team will attend the hearing among China's delegation.

The Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap. 383), enacted in 1991 to give effect in the local law to the provisions of the ICCPR, remains in force.

On June 26, 1997, the Family Status Discrimination Ordinance was enacted to outlaw discrimination against a person on the ground that the person has the responsibility for the care of an immediate family member. This, the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480) and the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 487) are overseen by the Equal Opportunities Commission.

The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486), first enacted in August 1995 to protect an individual's right to privacy with respect to personal data, continues to give statutory effect to internationally recognised data protection principles. In 1997, the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data undertook a variety of activities to promote compliance, awareness and understanding of the ordinance, including the approval of codes of practice, the issue of fact sheets and guidance materials on the ordinance's application. The commissioner also handled complaints lodged under the ordinance.

Director of Intellectual Property

The post of Director of Intellectual Property was established in 1990 as a statutory office by the Director of Intellectual Property (Establishment) Ordinance. The Intellectual Property Department operates the Trade Marks, Patents and Designs Registries. The department is also responsible for making recommendations on the policy and legislation related to intellectual property protection, provision of civil intellectual property legal advice to government departments and promotion of public awareness and respect of intellectual property rights.

Equal Opportunities Commission

The Equal Opportunities Commission was established under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap 480) and started full operation on September 20, 1996. Overseeing the implementation of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap 480), the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap 487) and the Family Status Discrimination Ordinance (Cap 527), the commission works towards the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of gender, disability and family status and to promote equality of opportunities between women and men, between persons with and without a disability and irrespective of family status. In 1998 the Equal Opportunities Commission handled 8 540 enquiries and 819 complaints relating to the three anti-discrimination ordinances. It also undertook a variety of activities to promote compliance, awareness and understanding of the ordinances, including the development of training manuals, production of pamphlets and other guidance material on various aspects of the ordinances' application.