Government considering legislation against racial discrimination

The government is actively considering legislation against racial discrimination and will announce the way forward soon, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, said today (March 13).

Speaking in the Legislative Council in a motion debate, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, nationality, colour, or origin.

He said the policy was to encourage minorities to integrate into Hong Kong's wider society while retaining their cultural identity.

"Our strategy for achieving that goal comprises two elements, namely, to extend practical assistance to the ethnic minorities in order to facilitate the settlement process, and to address discriminatory attitudes that may impede that process," Dr Ho said.

At present, the Bill of Rights Ordinance proscribes all forms of discrimination on the part of the government and public bodies. However, there is no specific legislation against racial discrimination in the private sector.

The government conducted a study in 1996 and consultations in 1997 on the need for legislation. While 80% of respondents were opposed to legislation in this area, there was almost universal support for the use of educational means to address racial discrimination.

Dr Ho said the government revisited the question in 2001/02. The exercise included consultations with the business sector and non-government organisations interested in the issue. The findings of the study were now being assessed by the government.

However, as there are competing claims that need to be balanced, it has taken longer than originally envisaged to reach a decision.

"Clearly this is a sensitive issue and it is important that, in weighing the pros and cons, we take the utmost care to ensure that the decision we reach is the right one. That is why we have been taking a long hard look at this question," Dr Ho said.

"We have the matter very much in hand and will announce the way forward as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, the government has been helping ethnic minorities adapt to life in Hong Kong and integrate into the wider community through public education and practical assistance.

Since 1997, programmes have been designed to foster mutual tolerance, respect and understanding within the community. The programmes include the Equal Opportunities Funding Scheme, a code of practice, leaflets, government advertisements, poster campaigns, and school talks.

There are other efforts to promote community acceptance of new arrivals from the Mainland.

More recently, the government established the Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony to advise on public-education strategies and propose specific programmes.

The Education and Manpower Bureau implements support services to help ethnic children adapt to the local school system, which include an induction programme and a school-based support scheme. It also provides newly arrived children with a six-month full-time integrated programme to better prepare them for entering mainstream schools.

Dr Ho said ethnic minorities and new arrivals from the Mainland enjoyed the same rights and benefits under the labour laws - such as the Employment Ordinance - as do all other workers. They were also entitled to the full range of welfare services provided by the Social Welfare Department and non-government organisations.

End/Thursday, March 13, 2003