The government was morally wrong to exempt itself from being prosecuted for racial discrimination, the new head of the Equal Opportunity Commission, Lam Woon-kwong, said.
And efforts at patriotic education may have contributed to racist views among Hongkongers, Lam, who became head of the anti-discrimination watchdog two months ago, said.
Speaking on ATV's Newsline programme, to be aired tomorrow, Lam said the government erred in 2008 by exempting itself from the provisions of the Race Discrimination Ordinance in defiance of society's wishes.
'They took away one provision that was in the other three [pieces of legislation relating to discrimination] - they took away that clause, which effectively exempted all government functions and exercise of authority,' he said. 'That leaves the EOC with no role to play.
'It is morally wrong for the government to take away a clause from a piece of discrimination legislation that is very similar to the other three pieces of legislation already passed.'
The earlier pieces of legislation, covering discrimination on the basis of sex, disability or family status, include the government in their scope and empower the commission to deal with complaints made by the public against government action.