|
Human Rights Issues -- May 2000
A Women's Commission will be established (May 7, 2000)
A Women's Commission will be established (May 7, 2000)
A Women's Commission will be established in order to response to recommendations given by the United Nations Committee in the Elimination of Discrimination. The focuses of the Commission are on various areas such as promotion support services, understanding of women's need, protection against discrimination and legal issues relating to women and families. The Commission will also ensure female issues will be considered in formulating government policy.
Concluding Observations made by the UN Committee against Torture towards the HKSAR (May 9, 2000) (General)
The Committee against Torture (CAT) of the United Nations had considered the periodic report of the HKSAR Government and those reports composed by the NGOs of Hong Kong on 4th and 5th of May and made its concluding observations. The Committee recommended the Mainland China to declare that article 20, 21 and 22 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was effective in the HKSAR.
(Remark:
Article 20 states that the Committee can actively investigate the State Party
when there are well-founded indications and reliable information that indicates
systematic torture does exist.
Article 21 describes that the State Party can inform the Committee and call
for UN investigation whenever its claimed another State Party did not fulfilling
its obligations under the Convention.
Article 22 describes that the State Party accepts the Committee to receive the
complaints against State Party for its violation towards the Convention on the
behalf of individual.)
The Committee showed it concern that the definition of public official in the Crime (Torture) Ordinance and the reference to "lawful authority, justification or excuse" as a defense for a person charged with torture did not fully comply with the article 1 of the Convention. Moreover, none of prosecution was carried out under the Crime (Torture) Ordinance that the Committee worried about its application. In addition, the practices relating to refugees did not match that of the Article 3 and there is room for improvements.
The Committee recommended that the HKSAR Government should make the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) becomes a statutory body. Furthermore, more training for law enforcement officials should be rendered in prevention of torture.