Puja Kapai Interviewed on Failure of Anti-discrimination Laws to Prevent School Segregation (HKFP)

"Video: ‘A tiger with broken teeth’ – anti-discrimination laws fail to prevent school segregation, legislative panel hears"

Jennifer Creery

Hong Kong Free Press

17 July 2018

Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination law has failed to prevent the segregation of ethnic minority students at schools, a Legislative Council public consultation heard on Monday. NGOs and members of the public said that separate classes for those who learn Chinese as a second language delayed learning and ostracised pupils from the wider community.

     A panel tasked with examining racial discrimination policies heard calls for tighter laws to tackle what minority groups say is a failure to allow them to integrate into society.

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     Puja Kapai, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Hong Kong, who also spoke at the hearing said that the panel was receptive to her suggestions to introduce data to gauge progress on racial equality. But she also said that the three-minute time limit for presenting ideas was restrictive.

     “The new rules of procedure provide a very limited time for engagement, unfortunately, because three minutes is really challenging for everyone to make their presentations and for lawmakers to raise questions,” Kapai told HKFP. ... Click here to read the full text.

CCPL Co-organises Inclusive 'Sports for All 2016' Day in Hong Kong

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam

The Centre for Comparative and Public Law was one of the key stakeholders involved with putting together an advocacy-cum-capacity building event which was the first community initiated inclusive sports day in HK.  Known as "Sports for All 2016", the event was held on 7 May 2016 at the Kowloon Cricket Club.  Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and legislator Fernando Cheung were invited to officiate the event.  This is an excerpt from Ms Lam's speech: 

"Puja (Ms Puja Kapai), Fernando (Cheung), David (Mr David Brettell, President of the Kowloon Cricket Club), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, particularly our children,

Good afternoon. I am delighted to join you all here on the Sports for All day for children with special educational needs.

Since the enactment of the various anti-discrimination ordinances including disability and race in Hong Kong, and through the zealous efforts of the Equal Opportunities Commission, it is fair to say that public awareness of opportunities for all and social inclusiveness has been raised in society. However, much focus has been put on education, employment, access to medical and health services, and outreaching support. I am glad that this afternoon, we are gathering together to share the fun of sports with children with special educational needs. In my view, sports nurtures courage and resilience, promotes team spirit and removes barriers. I therefore wish to thank Puja for putting together this meaningful event. I agree with her that the opportunity to engage in play and sports is key to good health and should be a fundamental right for everyone, including those with special needs or disabilities.

It has always been a policy of the Hong Kong SAR Government to raise public interest in and awareness of sports, encourage wider public participation and promote a healthy lifestyle in the community. A wide variety of recreation and sports programmes are organised throughout the year for people across different age groups and physical abilities. The event held today is surely in line with our policy objective of promoting an inclusive society, where all individuals can enjoy equality and respect in different areas of life."

Click here to read the full speech and view photos and a video of the event.