The global coronavirus outbreak has sparked concerns of racism and xenophobia around the world, following reports of eggings, beatings and other forms of assault against Chinese and Asian diasporas. While incidents of the same severity have not happened in Hong Kong so far, unmet demands for a complete border shutdown have set the stage for some local eateries to ban Putonghua-speaking customers, visitors from mainland China, and/or new immigrants.

How the anti-discrimination ordinances may (or may not) apply to these scenarios can appear perplexing to the public. Why could a ban on Putonghua speakers amount to indirect racial discrimination against ethnic Chinese? How might the notion of “imputed disability” under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance come into play when shops turn away customers based on the perception or speculation that they have been infected with the coronavirus? When a measure discriminates on the ground of disability but purports to protect public health from the spread of an infectious disease, why must we ascertain if it is a “reasonably necessary” move?

Released on 6 May 2020, the latest issue of the EOC’s journal, Equality Perspectives offers a crash course on six key concepts under the anti-discrimination law, before going into a deep dive on the more complex issues arising from the contagion. It also includes a story about some of the marginalised communities who are taking a bigger hit in these difficult times, from ethnic minorities and migrant workers to carers and children with special educational needs.

Click the link below to learn more.

• Read the journal