'Make Race Discrimination Laws Binding On Govt'

Ethnic minority rights groups say Hong Kong's ordinance against race discrimination must be amended to make it binding on the government.

This came as a Legislative Council bills committee on Monday started considering eight other amendments to discrimination laws, which the government considers less complex and controversial.

Jeffrey Andrews, convenor of Voices of Diversity, said the government's failure to act on their concerns raises questions about its commitment to racial equality.

“We are facing racial profiling every day. We are facing discrimination every day,” he said. “And, as an international city, if the government does not take the first step in enacting such crucial legislation, then why call it ‘Asia’s world city’?”

Hong Kong’s three other anti-discrimination laws, on sex, disability and family status, already cover government powers and functions, and Andrews said there is no reason for the government to neglect race discrimination.

He also doesn’t think amending the race discrimination laws would be particularly contentious.

“Absolutely not. If the government has nothing to fear; if it’s an unbiased government, then do it, show your political will in doing so,” he said.

Andrews told RTHK's Richard Pyne that there is also international pressure for the government to act.

“How many times do we need to go to the [United Nations] to make reports? It’s a shame. This is Hong Kong, we’re not talking about some backward city.”