"…The States Parties to present Covenant undertake to guarantee that
the rights enunciated in the present Covenant will be exercised without discrimination
of any kind as to race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth or other status…" (extracted
from Article 2 of ICESCR)
"… States Parties condemn all propaganda and all organizations which are based on ideas or theories of superiority of one race or group of persons of one colour or ethnic origin… (states should) adopt immediate and positive measures designed to eradicate all incitement to, or acts of, such discrimination …… " (extracted from Article 4 of ICERD)
According to Article 25 of the Basic Law, "All Hong Kong residents shall be equal before the law." However, it was not the case for new arrivals from Mainland China. To date, there are some 30,000 Hong Kong residents married to mainlanders. The lack of a reasonable immigration policy and the rigid requirement of residency in the entitlement of various social benefits have straitjacketed the basic human rights of the children and the spouse . New immigrants have become victims under the Government's pretext of defending an even distribution of social resources. This situation is but a result of mal-administration and poor Government planning . Coupled with this, the difficulties of children getting into school and the unfair treatment of new immigrants in job are common scene. These have also created turnpikes for them to integrate into the society.
Bringing together more than six hundred families, SoCO set up the New Immigrants' Mutual Aid Association to form a supporting social network and advocate for an anti-racism law . We want to eliminate all discriminatory policies and to strengthen mutual support within the community. We also organized induction programs and exchange programs between Hong Kong and Mainland China so that new immigrants can have more understanding of the Hong Kong society.
SoCO has successfully lobbied the Education Department to allocate school placements
for newly arrived children aged under 15. We have also made the Government relax
its residency requirement for children under 18 and widows in their application
for public housing.