The Court of Appeal has today (17 March 2006) allowed an application by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to provide an amicus curiae in the appeal proceedings lodged by the Government concerning alleged sexual orientation discrimination in the Crimes Ordinance.

Chairperson of the EOC, Mr. Raymond TANG said, "This case raises an issue of discrimination in the Crimes Ordinance. As the principal remit of the Commission's work deals with the general concepts of anti-discrimination, the EOC's involvement in the appeal is to impartially assist the Court in developing relevant jurisprudence. The participation of the EOC in the appeal proceedings will be non-partisan in nature."