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The Report on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) was submitted to the United Nations on May 5, 1999. It forms part of China's third report under the Convention.

The report covers the legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures that have been taken by the HKSAR Government to prevent acts of torture, as defined in Article 1 of the Convention.

The major law that gives effect in Hong Kong to the provisions of the Convention is the Crimes (Torture) Ordinance of 1993. The Ordinance creates and defines the offence of torture and provides for a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for a person convicted of the crime.

Other measures taken include: ensuring our interrogation rules and instructions are compatible with the Convention; providing adequate and reliable complaints channels and machinery for monitoring custodial arrangements; ensuring in the legal system that the victim of an act of torture obtains redress and has an enforceable right to fair and adequate compensation; and educating and disseminating information to public officers on the prohibition of torture.

Under Article 19 of the Convention, States Parties are required to submit periodic reports to the United Nations Committee Against Torture on the measures they have taken to give effect to their undertakings under the Convention. China has been a State Party to the Convention since 1988. The present report is its third under the Convention. The section on the SAR was written entirely by the SAR Government.

"We were formally notified by the Central People's Government on May 11, 1999 that the metropolitan report, including the part on HKSAR, was submitted to the United Nations through China's Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva on May 5, 1999," a Government spokesman said.

"The report describes the position as at September 30, 1998. Before preparing the report, and in accordance with our standard practice, we sought the views of LegCo Members, non-governmental organisations and other interested parties on the implementation of the Covenant in Hong Kong. The report takes full account of their comments," the spokesman said.

"There are indications - that have yet to be confirmed - that the Committee Against Torture - the UN Treaty Monitoring Body of the Convention - will examine the report during its next Spring session. This will be around April and May 2000. HKSARG representatives will attend as part of the Chinese delegation," he said.

The report has been posted on HAB's homepage (http://www.info.gov.hk/hab/new/index_e.htm). Members of the public can collect copies from District Offices in two weeks' time. Meanwhile, copies are also available on request from the Home Affairs Bureau (contact Mr Ricky Leung at 2835 2065).

End/Monday, May 24, 1999

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