The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has issued the following statement with regard to the views on the appointment of EOC Members expressed by 關注平機會委任聯盟:

The EOC Board which comprises a Chairperson and 15 Members, were appointed by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The EOC Board provides guidance and leadership for the strategic directions of the EOC and the discharge of its statutory duties. The EOC Members represent a diversity of voices, backgrounds and expertise, including women, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, employment groups, professionals from the legal, accounting and social service sectors, academics, and the community at large.

The EOC announced the findings of the Study on Legislation against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status in January 2016. The research report which was endorsed by the EOC Board, called on the Government to consider conducting a public consultation on introducing anti-discrimination legislation on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status as soon as possible.

Prof. Alfred CHAN, Chairperson of the EOC, said, “I expect that all EOC Members should respect the principle of collective responsibility although they are from different backgrounds. Once a decision has been made in accordance with proper rules and procedures, EOC Members are expected to support and protect the EOC's image.”

Prof. CHAN has spoken with The Hon Holden CHOW earlier to remind him of the issue of collective responsibility.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
25 May 2017