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Mission
and Vision
Established in April 1995, the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor is an independent, non-partisan organisation rooted in the local community. We aim to promote better human rights protection in Hong Kong, both in terms of law and of practical life, and to encourage greater human rights awareness through education. To advance our education work, we have recently set up the "Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor Education Charitable Trust" and are in the process of setting up a resource and information centre to collect and disseminate basic human rights information. The most remarkable aspect of our organisation is that except for five full-time staff, most of our work is carried out by our member-volunteers. Our members are from many different backgrounds and walks of life. What pulled bring us together are the same concerns and vision that is that we all want to do something to safeguard and improve human rights in Hong Kong. Structure (a) Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor A Hong Kong organisation comprises of mainly Hong Kong Chinese with mandate on human rights and the rule of the laws issues in the territory. (b) Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor Education Charitable Trust A human rights charitable fund in Hong Kong to promote awareness of human rights among the people of Hong Kong. (c) Digital Library The Monitor is developing a digital library holding human rights treaties and related documents in electronic format. (d) Resource and Information Centre A centre for collecting and disseminating basic human rights information. Officers
Types of work 1. Advocacy: We monitor the law, policies and actions of the authorities and campaign on various issues on human rights and the rule of the law. 2. Briefing: We brief the press, the United Nations, Hong Kong and foreign governments and legislature on Hong Kong human rights issues verbally orally or in writing. 3. Research: We do research on various important topics including the police, prisons, immigration law, constitutional issues, and freedoms of association, assembly and expression, etc. 4. Education: We publish human rights materials in Chinese and English (sometimes all and some in Tagalog) including a newsletter, teach yourself human rights booklets, human rights materials. 5. Case Work: We handle cases referred to us by other NGOs which have strong implications for legal or institutional reforms in certain areas and go beyond the interest of the individual client, especially on police and immigration issues. Past Activities
1. Submitted reports to UN committees responsible for monitoring human rights on the fulfillment by the United Kingdom and Hong Kong Governments of their obligations relating to the territory under various international human rights treaties. 2. Met with the Chief Executive and the Governor on various topics relating including to police interrogation practices and complaint procedures. 3. Participated in LegCo hearings on various human rights issues including equal opportunities legislation. 4. Conducted a review of Hong Kong's immigration law and practice from a human rights standpoint; handled immigration cases referred by other NGOs. 5. Campaigned for improvements to the police complaint system. 6. Campaigned for an independent inquiry into Lee Shing Tat's case in which the victim died shortly after claiming to have been beaten up by police officers. 7. Helped the People's Council on Public Housing Policy and social workers' groups to promote housing rights. 8. Conducted a review of Hong Kong's legal aid system and practice. 9. Had articles published in the English and Chinese language press about the dangers to the rule of law from the new arrangements for the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. 10. Submitted suggestions to amend the draft code of practice under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance. 11. Carried out (with Human Rights Watch) the first independent inspection of Hong Kong's prisons. 12. Investigated individual cases with possible human rights implications. 13. Delivered public speeches and organised evening classes on human rights. 14. Published and distributed booklets & newsletters produced by the Monitor informing members of various groups of their rights. Planned Future Activities 1. Forming group to Monitoring interference from by the SAR Government and/or Central Chinese authorities on with freedom of expression, and the including existing and future legislation that may impose threats on threaten freedom of expression. 2. Preparing the amicus curiae (Friend of the Court) briefs on important constitutional matters. 3. Monitoring the self-censorship of in the media and possible threats to on the media. 4. Carrying out research on existing laws on detention and imprisonment, and press the SAR government to implement the recommendations raised in of the joint prison project jointly prepared inspection report by the Monitor and Human Rights Watch. 5. Continuing to press the Government to outlaw racial discrimination, including maintaining a record of cases of racial discrimination to illustrate the need for action in this fields. 6. Investigating issues on mental health and its implications on human rights. 7 Updating the homepage from time to time to make sure members and other interested individuals are able to keep track of the Monitor's activities and the human rights situation in Hong Kong. 8. Publishing and translating various further human rights materials, including booklets in Chinese on women's rights, on the right of minorities and on freedom of association, as well as a book on teaching human rights for teachers and a video about human rights. 9. Developing a human rights information centre including legislation, government and non-governmental organisation publications and newspaper clippings. 10. Continuing the police campaign which includes monitoring demonstrations, visiting autopsy unit, and pressing for reforming of the ineffective police complaints mechanism, visiting Health Department to ensure no discrimination and carrying out research on Police General Order. and of the rules for detention of suspects, as well as improvement in the quality of autopsies by Government pathologists. Qualifications Members of the Monitor are from many different backgrounds and walks of life. The one essential qualification for membership is a genuine commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Joining fee The Monitor's joining fee is deliberately kept at the low sum of HK$100, so that most people can afford to join. Members receive a newsletter informing them of the Monitor's work and its social events, and are free to take part as much or as little part in the Monitor's activities as they wish. Many members are active volunteers helping with the Monitor's work, but members are equally welcome who simply wish to join in order to keep informed about what is going on. Donation The Monitor exists on a small budget, and the amount of new work which can be taken on is directly affected by financial limitations. "Donations" (button form) to the Monitor's work are always welcome. You may donate to the "Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor" (not tax deductible) or to the "Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor Education Charitable Trust" (tax deductible for donations of not less than HK$100 and up to 10% of your assessable income). Please tell us your contacts for receipts. |
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