中文版

  1. EOC submitted review of the implementation of the Race Discrimination Ordinance to the Legislative Council

Cover of RDO & I leaflet published by the EOC

On 6 November 2017, the EOC made a submission to the Legislative Council Subcommittee on Rights of Ethnic Minorities reviewing the implementation of the Race Discrimination Ordinance (RDO).

The submission summarised the enquiries, complaints and self-initiated investigations handled by the EOC since the RDO came into effect in 2009, legal services provided in relation to the RDO, and recent research studies, public education and outreach work conducted by the EOC. It also provided an overview of the Commission’s upcoming plans on promoting racial equality, including a media campaign to be organised with additional one-off funding from the Government.

In addition to implementing the RDO, the EOC has recommended the amendment of the ordinance to the Government under the Discrimination Law Review. The key recommendations include the prohibition of race discrimination in the exercise of Government functions or powers, the prohibition of race discrimination and harassment by association, and the repealing of the exception in vocational training and education in relation to medium of instruction. We hope the Government will adopt these high-priority recommendations as soon as possible as they will help prevent racial discrimination in a more comprehensive and effective manner. Indeed, the Sub-Committee had shown support for these recommendations at the meeting by voting unanimously for a motion urging the Government to take the recommendations forward.

Read the EOC’s submission to the Legislative Council
Read the EOC’s recommendations under the Discrimination Law Review

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  1. Download the EOC app for a chance to win an iPad Pro

screen shot of the EOC smartphone app

According to Government data, over 80% of our city’s population aged 10 or above has a smartphone. To allow members of the public, including people with disabilities, to get information about the EOC more easily, we created a mobile app with various accessibility features back in 2013.

Earlier this year, we upgraded the app to make it more user-friendly and compatible with the latest mobile platforms. We are now running a lucky draw to encourage more people to download the app, which includes brief introductions on the four anti-discrimination ordinances, the latest news related to the EOC and discrimination in general, and multi-media resources such as TV docudramas and links to the EOC’s radio programmes. The grand prize of the lucky draw is an iPad Pro 9.7-inch 32GB (Wi-Fi and Cellular). We will also give away 50 portable mobile phone chargers (2,600mAh).

The EOC mobile app was written according to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA requirements. With features such as yellow text on a black background and voice-over function, the app is accessible to people with disabilities, such as blindness and low vision. 

Download the EOC app and enter the lucky draw
Read the press release about the lucky draw

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  1. EOC Recognised by the HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards

EOC representative received the HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards at the award presentation ceremony
The EOC was a winner at the HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards for another year! Organised by the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA), the annual awards scheme encourages and recognises the publication of “timely, accurate, informative and well-presented” annual reports.

The EOC Annual Report 2015/16, themed “We as One, Celebrating Diversity”, received an Excellence Award for Small Size Entries. The award presentation ceremony was held on 6 November.

View the EOC’s Annual Report 2015/16

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  1. EOC Chairperson will join the Pride Parade to support LGBTI rights

E-banner of Hong Kong Pride Parade 2017
The news that came on 15 November about Australians voting in favour of same-sex marriage in a government survey was motivating for LGBTI communities from around the world. Here in Hong Kong, we were also encouraged about our city’s successful bid for the 2022 Gay Games. While there has been more and more noise and awareness about the need to protect the sexual minorities from discrimination, much remains to be done in Hong Kong. For one thing, there has yet to be legislation to make discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status unlawful.

In this regard, the EOC will continue to urge the Government to launch public consultation on legislation as soon as possible, while showing support for LGBTI rights. Just last Monday (13 November), EOC Chairperson Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming and EOC Legal Counsel Mr Peter READING participated in a panel hosted by Out Leadership, an international NGO working to promote LGBTI equality across the business sector. The Panel, which was part of the OutNext programme for emerging LGBTI leaders and allies in the business sector in Hong Kong, examined the key recent LGBTI rights developments in the city, including the Government’s public consultation on introducing gender recognition legislation, and recent court decisions relating to sexual orientation discrimination. And on 25 November, Prof Chan will officiate at the launch of the annual Pride Parade, organised by various LGBTI rights groups.

See details on the Pride Parade
Learn more about Out Leadership

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Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases and calendar training. Also, stay tuned on other equal opportunities issues and community initiatives by visiting our community resources and community events pages for information from our community partners, including publications, survey reports, publicity campaigns, and upcoming conferences.