Legislators yesterday passed a motion calling on the government to set up a commission on children to protect their rights and well-being.
It was moved by welfare sector lawmaker Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, who said it was needed to fulfil obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He said the government's planned Family Commission would not be able do the job. Although the economy was reviving, children's rights had to be considered and improved.
Mandy Tam Heung-man asked why the government had no plans for a commission. 'The government has set up the Commission on Youth and the Women's Commission, but why not a commission on children?'
She suggested psychology experts be invited to join the commission to liaise with government and push the development of policies. She urged the government to review use of the HK$300 million invested in the Child Development Fund set up earlier this year to help disadvantaged children.
Legislator Choy So-yuk said children were individuals and should be respected. She said there should be a system to protect their rights.
Ms Choy also accused the media of exploiting children, citing the recent case of a 14-year-old girl singer who was pictured in a wet shirt. It showed 'the system of protecting children's rights is not complete'.