Legal protections

Chapter III of the Basic Law prescribes the fundamental rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong. In particular, Article 39 (which forms part of Chapter III) provides that the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) as applied to Hong Kong shall remain in force. Additionally, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance gives domestic effect to the provisions of the ICCPR as applied to Hong Kong.

Other statutory protections, overseen by the Equal Opportunities Commission, are contained in the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, and the Family Status Discrimination Ordinance. Additionally, the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance — administered by the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data — protects the right to privacy with respect to personal data.

The Race Discrimination Bill

On December 13, 2006, the Government introduced the Race Discrimination Bill into the Legislative Council. This, when enacted, will provide specific safeguards for the rights of individuals against discrimination, harassment and vilification on the grounds of race.