***************************************************

Strategies for combating racial discrimination in the private sector must be appropriate to particular form of discrimination they are intended to address, a government spokesman said today (July 22).

Responding to the views of Ms Emily Lau expressed in a radio programme today, he said, " Hong Kong is a harmonious society where the problem of racial discrimination is not considered to be serious."

However, he said in view of the recent development, the government was currently reviewing whether there is a need to legislate against racial discrimination in the private sector, in addition to the current measures of tackling the problem through public education.

"We are seeking views from various interested parties, with a view to reaching a conclusion on the way forward early next year.

The spokesman pointed out that the concluding observations issued by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are a vital element of the UN reporting process.

"It comprises an important exchange of views between the UN treaty monitoring bodies and governments in the interests of the public to whom they are answerable.

"Therefore, member states are required to achieve, according to the maximum of their available resource, the full implementation of the rights recoganized by the treaty", the spokesman said.

End/Sunday, July 22, 2001

NNNN