Hong Kong's current human rights framework offers sufficient protection and support for human rights in the city, and there is no obvious need for another human rights institution, Home Affairs Bureau says.

The framework is underpinned by the rule of law, an independent judiciary, a comprehensive legal aid system, three human rights institutions -- the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Ombudsman, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data -- and a free and vigilant media. Therefore, the Government has no plans or timetable for the establishment of such an institution in the immediate future.

The bureau said the United Nations Human Rights Committee had commended Hong Kong in a number of important areas in its concluding observations on the second report of the HKSAR in the light of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights.

This has demonstrated its recognition of the Government's efforts and effectiveness in safeguarding human rights in Hong Kong.

The important areas include Hong Kong's efforts in meeting the needs of minority communities and in the promotion of racial harmony and non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, the establishment of an administrative procedure for the assessment of claims of torture made by persons facing deportation, and our measures in combating domestic violence.

The concluding observations also included the committee's concerns and recommendations in certain areas, which should be viewed in the proper context. For details, click here.

Local circumstances

The Government holds the committee and its views with the highest regard. The committee's recommendations, either wholly or in part, are implemented where they were feasible, practicable, affordable and in line with local circumstances. 

On constitutional development, both the Central Authorities and the Government are fully committed to promoting constitutional development in accordance with the Basic Law and the Decision of the National People's Congress Standing Committee of April 2004, with a view to achieving the ultimate aim of universal suffrage.

Moreover, the electoral system is appropriate to Hong Kong's circumstances and compatible with all the provisions of the covenant as applied to the city.

The Commission on Strategic Development has initiated the discussion on formulating a roadmap for universal suffrage, aiming to draw conclusions by early 2007 and to provide a basis for the Government to commence our next phase of work.