HL Deb 03 December 2001 vol 629 cc81-2WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their six-monthly report on Hong Kong January-June 2001 (July 2001), whether they will continue to encourage the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government to meet the criticism made by the United Nations Human Rights Committee by introducing a measure to prohibit racial discrimination in the private sector and discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and age, and to establish a human rights institution or adequate alternative arrangements for the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights. [HL1376]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos)

We continue to take a close interest in the extent to which the rights and freedoms promised by the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law are upheld in Hong Kong. We have raised the issue of racial discrimination with the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, including most recently with Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary for Administration on 20 November. We have made clear that the UK experience is that legislation is an important—though not alone sufficient—part of the process of combating racism. The SAR Government's attitude to legislation is not closed. They are currently conducting further consultation in the community about the desirability of legislation.

We understand that the SAR Government currently have no plans to introduce legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and age, or to establish a human rights institution.