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The Government is examining the United Nationsˇ¦(UN) recommendations on childrenˇ¦s rights which is published today (September 30).
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has now published its concluding observations on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's initial report under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which forms part of China's second report under the Convention.
A Home Affairs Bureau spokesman said today (September 30) that the concluding observations followed the committee's hearing of the report in Geneva on September 19 and 20 when a Hong Kong team, led by the Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Stephen Fisher, attended as part of the Chinese delegation. A team from Macau also took part.
The spokesman said that the observations included several positive comments commending Hong Kong's performance in some important areas. "For example, the Committee expressed its appreciation for the efforts Hong Kong has made in supporting organisations representing children and in addressing the issue of youth suicides," the spokesman said.
The Committee has also stated a number of concerns and recommendations which include, among others, the need for a regional human rights institution, and a holistic and comprehensive approach in implementing the Convention.
"We are carefully considering those recommendations with a view to further improving the Government's work in protecting children's rights," the spokesman said.
"We will provide a full response in our second report, which is due for submission by March 31, 2009 as part of China's combined third and fourth," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, September 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:45
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