ENG-2010 — Page 82

40 The Legal System

Promotion of Racial Equality and Harmony

The Race Discrimination Ordinance and Administrative Guidelines

The Race Discrimination Ordinance, which protects the rights of individuals against discrimination, harassment and vilification on racial grounds, has been operating smoothly since it came into full operation in July 2009. In addition, the Government issued administrative guidelines in April 2010 to help relevant bureaux, departments and public authorities promote racial equality and ensure equal access by ethnic minorities to public services in key areas.

The Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony

The Committee was established in 2002. It advises the Government on the promotion of racial harmony and equality, including provision of support services to ethnic minorities, and on proposals for race related public education and publicity. Secretariat support is provided by the Race Relations Unit of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau.

The Race Relations Unit

The unit was set up in June 2002 to promote the interests of ethnic minorities. It sponsors language classes conducted by non-governmental organisations and radio programmes in the languages of different ethnic minorities, organises a Harmony Scholarship Scheme, publishes a service guidebook in different languages and provides other support services to help them integrate into the community.

Support Service Centres for Ethnic Minorities

The Government is also funding non-governmental organisations to run four support service centres for ethnic minorities, which commenced services in 2009. The centres organise language classes and other activities to help ethnic minorities integrate into the community. One of the centres also provides a free interpretation service on the telephone to assist ethnic minorities in their use of public services.

Children's Rights

The Government supports various initiatives to strengthen awareness of children's rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

It has set up a Children's Rights Forum to provide a platform for exchanging views on matters concerning children's rights with children and advocates of children's rights, and to provide children with additional opportunities to express their views.

To raise public awareness and understanding of children's rights enshrined in the CRC, the Government has established a Children's Rights Education Funding Scheme which provides financial assistance to non-governmental organisations to promote children's rights. Administrative support for the Forum and the funding scheme is provided by the Children's Rights Unit of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau.