Hong Kong government pours cold water on call for a human rights commission

Executive councillor Anna Wu Hung-yuk has urged the government to establish a human rights commission in the city, in keeping with the changing political and social landscape – only to have it promptly turned down.

Wu, a former head of the Equal Opportunities Commission who now chairs the Competition Commission, also lamented Hong Kong’s lack of a minister in charge of human rights.

Arguing that it had led to fragmented adherence to important principles such as equality by the government, she called on the secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs to take up a second title of secretary for human rights and equality.

“There is no minister today responsible for pushing the agenda to further human rights and equality,” Wu said. “They split up the portfolio of equality to be pushed under different bureaus ... which actually means that no one is in charge of advocating this.”

She suggested the proposed secretary for human rights and equality take up a coordinating role within the administration, and also make sure that different bureaus and departments were in compliance.