Government accused of backtracking over rights commission

The government was accused by legislators yesterday of backtracking on the establishment of an independent human rights commission for Hong Kong.

Previously, Home Affairs Bureau officials had indicated an 'open mind' on the issue but in their response to the United Nations human rights committee, officials said there was no need for such a body and 'no plans or timetable' to set one up.

The Legislative Council panel on home affairs heard from more than a dozen rights groups on issues such as the rights of asylum seekers, universal suffrage and domestic violence.

Human Rights Monitor director Law Yuk-kai also expressed concerns about the delay in bringing the anti-racism bill to Legco.

'You told the UN it would be within this legislative session [ending in July], but now you are saying it will be within this year,' he said. 'I cannot have much faith in this.'

Referring to the imminent replacement of Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Stephen Fisher, Mr Law asked if Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan had had any complaints from the business community on the bill.

Mr Fisher's disclosure in January that the anti-racism bill would put curbs on expatriate packages brought strong criticism from the business community.