Discuss the Extent to Which the Hong Kong Legal System Has Succeeded in Securing Minorities in Hk
1. Introduction
Hong Kong is an exceptional region: a previous British-ruled colony constituted of a majority of Chinese and now a special administrative region on the Chinese soil practising "One Country, Two System". Despite the transfer of sovereignty, Hong Kong continues to enjoy a relatively competitive economy and stable environment as compared with other regions in East Asia. It was not until recently that that the discussion over protection of minorities rights[1] attracted more public concern within the territory.
So what is it hiding behind the veil of the apparent prosperity in the society? What and who are being ignored by the general public or the "majority" in the society? This article is going to discuss some aspects whether the rights of minorities are being sufficiently protected by the public institutions and the provisions of legislations and conclude with suggestions to secure minority rights in Hong Kong.
2. History
When the British took over Hong Kong in 1840s, it brought in the Brigade of Gurkhas. Western investors as well as people from regional countries migrated since then because of the stability in Hong Kong, which eventually developed into a hub where East meets West[2]. Blending incoming ideas from the West into the traditional ideas from China, the product is a society interwoven with peoples of different traditions and beliefs towards a certain issues, for instance, customs, religions and, more controversially, sexual orientation.
Despite the establishment of Legal Aid Department, Equal Opportunities Commission and other social institutions, there exist reported cases of discrimination against the minority groups in work and at school, in public and private sectors, let alone many more unreported. Are the minority being well protected?
3. Performance of the Protection of the Minority
There are different bodies in Hong Kong that are devoted to protecting the rights of the minority groups. International Human
Hong Kong is an exceptional region: a previous British-ruled colony constituted of a majority of Chinese and now a special administrative region on the Chinese soil practising "One Country, Two System". Despite the transfer of sovereignty, Hong Kong continues to enjoy a relatively competitive economy and stable environment as compared with other regions in East Asia. It was not until recently that that the discussion over protection of minorities rights[1] attracted more public concern within the territory.
So what is it hiding behind the veil of the apparent prosperity in the society? What and who are being ignored by the general public or the "majority" in the society? This article is going to discuss some aspects whether the rights of minorities are being sufficiently protected by the public institutions and the provisions of legislations and conclude with suggestions to secure minority rights in Hong Kong.
2. History
When the British took over Hong Kong in 1840s, it brought in the Brigade of Gurkhas. Western investors as well as people from regional countries migrated since then because of the stability in Hong Kong, which eventually developed into a hub where East meets West[2]. Blending incoming ideas from the West into the traditional ideas from China, the product is a society interwoven with peoples of different traditions and beliefs towards a certain issues, for instance, customs, religions and, more controversially, sexual orientation.
Despite the establishment of Legal Aid Department, Equal Opportunities Commission and other social institutions, there exist reported cases of discrimination against the minority groups in work and at school, in public and private sectors, let alone many more unreported. Are the minority being well protected?
3. Performance of the Protection of the Minority
There are different bodies in Hong Kong that are devoted to protecting the rights of the minority groups. International Human