Democrats split over plan for 'referendum' on suffrage Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan's remark last week that pan-democratic lawmakers should consider a resignation proposal was his personal view, party vice-chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing said yesterday. She said no conclusion was reached at a party conference with about 40 members on Friday. At the meeting, veteran Democrat Szeto Wah said the party should consider the League of Social Democrats' proposal, under which five pan-democratic lawmakers would resign so that by-elections could be held as a referendum on universal suffrage. Mr Szeto suggested Ms Lau, Lee Cheuk-yan, Wong Yuk-man, Alan Leong Kah-kit and Cyd Ho Sau-lan. UN panel's help sought over Equal Opportunities Commission A 17-member delegation representing 14 Hong Kong groups will set off for Geneva today to attend a hearing of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. A joint submission by 13 of the groups said they would tell the committee about controversies surrounding the Equal Opportunities Commission, which has been criticised over its spending and management structure. Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor director Law Yuk-kai, one of the delegates visiting Geneva, said he hoped that experts on the committee would make recommendations for the Hong Kong government to improve the commission's effectiveness. Swine flu cases pass 4,000 The number of swine flu cases passed 4,000 yesterday with 162 new cases, taking the total to 4,066. The new cases involved 85 males and 77 females aged between five months and 76 years.
