The EOC commends the efforts of the 2013 Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) cohort and wish them the very best of luck in their future endeavours. The Commission would also like to extend a special congratulatory message to students with disabilities or special educational needs, such as TSANG Tsz-Kwan of Ying Wa Girls’ School, who were able to achieve excellent results in spite of the challenges of their disabilities and became an inspiration to all of Hong Kong. Tsz-Kwan and many others like her are living proof that people with disability, too, are talented and must be accorded equal opportunities. Likewise, ethnic minority students should have equal access to university education. In 2011, according to the Census and Statistics Department, ethnic minorities made up only 1.3 percent of all post-secondary students even though they make up 6.4 percent of the population. Tsz-Kwan’s case also highlights an important point: Schools, in particular, have a crucial role to play in providing disadvantaged students with equal educational opportunities, from ensuring an inclusive and accessible learning environment to offering accommodation measures and encouragement to help students learn effectively.

CNN’s article and video on TSANG Tsz-Kwan (in English)
Christian Action’s recent blog post on education for ethnic minorities (in English)

On 4 and 19 July 2013, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW Yat-Ngok, published an opinions article in Ming Pao to call for equal protection of sexual minorities for discrimination. Dr. Chow pointed out that social discrimination faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community remains common, including in the areas of employment and education, and may impact those at the grassroot level more negatively. He urged the Government to enact legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, in line with international developments in this area. Dr. Chow cited an example of a teacher who faced various forms of discrimination and difficulties after the school discovered that he is gay. “A person’s performance and talent has nothing to do with one’s sexual orientation and gender identity…in a merit-based society like Hong Kong, why should anyone, because of his/her sexual orientation, be marginalised and bullied in education, employment, and everyday life?” said Dr. Chow. He also called on the public raise their understanding and awareness on this issue.

Read the Ming Pao article on 4 July 2013 (in Chinese only)
Read the Ming Pao article on 19 July 2013 (in Chinese only)
Read Dr. Chow’s previous article on this topic in English

In May, the Court of Final Appeal delivered its landmark ruling on the case of “W”, a post-operative male-to-female transsexual who fought for the right to to be recognised as a woman and to marry the man she loves. Despite this victory, much remains to be done to advance equality for this oft-overlooked group of individuals. In an article published in the South China Morning Post on 12 July 2013, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW Yat-Ngok called on society to do better to protect the rights of transgender individuals, including the enactment of specific legislation against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and for the Hospital Authority to establish a multidisciplinary unit to address the specific needs of this community. Dr. Chow also urged for families’ understanding and support, as well as for the Government to address the process of gender recognition so that transgender individuals who do not wish to undergo sex reassignment surgery can also access the rights of their identified gender. “It is the right of everyone to live a life of dignity free from harm and discrimination. When we fail to protect one group, no matter how seemingly small a minority, from equally accessing this right, we chip away at our shared humanity,” wrote Dr. Chow.

Read the article (in English only)

Over recent weeks, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW Yat-Ngok, has attended a number of radio interviews to promote the values of equality and inclusion as well as to discuss the work of the Commission. On 11 and 14 July 2013, Dr. Chow was a guest on “DBC 主場” of Digital Broadcasting Corporation HK Ltd. and RTHK1’s“非常人物生活雜誌”respectively. In both episodes, he discussed some priority areas of the EOC’s work, including the discrimination law review, legal protection for sexual minorities, education for ethnic minorities, integrated education and employment opportunities for people with disability, and elimination of discrimination in government services against people with disability.

Listen to the RTHK1 interview (in Cantonese only)

The EOC supports the “Mediate First” pledge campaign, launched by the Public Education and Publicity Sub-committee of the Secretary for Justice's Steering Committee on Mediation. The campaign aims to encourage the use of mediation to resolve disputes that arise in businesses and commerce before pursuing other Alternative Dispute Resolution processes or litigation before the courts. The “Mediate First” Pledge is a statement of policy aimed at encouraging greater use of mediation as a flexible, creative and constructive approach in resolving commercial disputes. On 18 July 2013, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW Yat-Ngok, attended the “Mediate First” Pledge Reception.

Mediate First Pledge for Companies
Mediate First Pledge for Trade Organisations / Associations
More about Mediate First

Many ethnic minorities still struggle for equal opportunities, particularly in education and employment. The EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW Yat-Ngok, was a guest on “Desi Tadka,” the Hindi-language radio programme launched by the Race Relations Unit of the Home Affairs Department. The episode was broadcast on Metroplus (AM1044) on Sunday 7 July 2013 from 4 to 5pm. During the show, Dr. Chow discussed the role of the EOC in protecting everyone’s right to non-discrimination and equality, including for ethnic minorities. He also discussed the Commission’s initiatives to promote equal education and employment opportunities for ethnic minorities as well as widening opportunities for cross-cultural interactions between and social integration of different ethnic groups.

Listen to the interview (Part 1)
Listen to the interview (Part 2)
Listen to the interview (Part 3)