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The Labour and Welfare Bureau today (February 17) issued a draft outline of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s initial report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to seek views from the public.
UNCRPD has entered into force for the People's Republic of China, including HKSAR, since August 31, 2008. The purpose of the convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all people with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
In accordance with Article 35 of the convention, each State Party undertakes to submit to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for consideration by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an initial report on measures taken to give effect to its obligations under the convention within two years after the entry into force of the Convention for the State concerned. HKSAR's report, which will set out in details the administrative, legal and other measures taken by HKSAR to implement the convention and the resulting progress achieved, will form part of the report of the People's Republic of China under the convention.
A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau said, "The draft outline sets out the broad subject headings and individual topics that are to be covered in the initial report under UNCRPD having regard to relevant reporting guidelines issued by the United Nations. Views are invited on the implementation of the convention in respect of those topics covered in the report, as well as suggestions for any additional topics to be included."
The consultation period, beginning today (February 17) will last for six weeks until March 31. The Labour and Welfare Bureau together with the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee will convene a public consultation session at the Duke of Windsor Social Service Building on March 12 for interested parties to express their views.
"We shall carefully consider all the comments received, and try to address the concerns and incorporate the views so expressed as far as possible in preparing the content of the report," the spokesman said.
The HKSAR will submit the initial UNCRPD report to the Central People's Government by mid-2010.
The draft outline of the initial UNCRPD report can be downloaded from the Labour and Welfare Bureau website (www.lwb.gov.hk), or obtained from all District Offices.
Enrolment for the consultation session is on a first-come-first-served basis. For enquiries, please contact the Labour and Welfare Bureau by calling 2509 0221, by facsimile at 2543 0486 or by email to uncrpd_consultation@lwb.gov.hk .
Ends/Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:13
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