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Suggestions to the HKSARG regarding the Consultation on the Third Report of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Convention on the Rights of the Child The Zubin Foundation 7 April 2021 1. Introduction 1.1. We are a group of individuals who are independent members of the Commission on Children (COC) in Hong Kong. 2. Commission on Children and Child Engagement 2.1. The Hong Kong SAR Government set up the Commission on Children in June 2018, which comprises 21 independent non-official members, many of whom are from civil society and are advocates for children. 2.2. The COC gives the government an opportunity to engage on matters related to children. 2.3. The COC meets 4 times each year. In addition, there are 4 working groups that are chaired and vice-chaired by a non-official member in the role as a Convenor and ViceConvenor. 2.4. The working groups are: Children with Specific Needs, Protection of Children’s Rights and Development, Education and Publicity, Children Protection, and Research and Public Engagement. 2.5. The COC is now in its second term of 2 years. There are 21 female members and 8 male members. Of the total number of members, 2 are Hong Kong ethnic minorities. There are also two youth members. 2.6. Children have not yet been directly engaged since the inception of the COC. 3. A. Article 4: Implementation 3.1. It is our belief that the COC should be an independent statutory body with designated funds and manpower. At present there are insufficient resources to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 3.2. It is our belief that there is an urgent need for an independent paid Commissioner of the COC, resources and manpower to effectively run the COC. 3.3. At present there is no strategy in place for the COC nor a long-term plan of focus and need. 4. Article 42 and 44 (6): Dissemination of the Convention and report 4.1. At present the dissemination of the Convention is limited and reactive, especially among children and vulnerable groups. 4.2. Child-friendly versions of the Convention must be widely delivered to children, including ethnic minority children. 5. General Principles (Articles 2,3,6 and 12) Article 2: Non-discrimination, Article 30: Minority Children and Special Needs Children and Article 23: Children with disabilities 5.1. The COC has a specific Working Group for Children with Specific Needs. This working group addresses the needs of ethnic minority children and the need of special 1 © 2021 The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited (registered charity in Hong Kong - IR 91/12344). All rights reserved.
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