Speaking in response to media inquiries on reports that ROA claimants and their support groups would put forward their representation on ROA issue to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the spokesman said that concerned groups have the right to express their views to the committee which maintains regular dialogues with governments and non-government organizations all over the world.

The spokesman reiterated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has been acting in accordance with the law in handling ROA cases and would continue to do so.

"The Court of Final Appeal delivered its judgment on three major ROA cases on January 10, 2002. All parties must abide by the ruling and those who cannot benefit must return to the mainland and apply through the legal channel if they wish to settle in Hong Kong. They do not have a future by going into hiding in Hong Kong as illegal immigrants," the spokesman said.

"If people with no right to stay in Hong Kong refuse to leave voluntarily, just like immigration authorities elsewhere, we will repatriate them in accordance with the law."

He stressed that ROA claimants had been given every opportunity to pursue their claims.

"Their cases have gone through all the courts of the land," he said.

The Hong Kong SAR government prepares reports to the committee from time to time to facilitate its consideration of the implementation of the ICESCR in Hong Kong.

The last report was submitted to the committee in June 1999 and was considered by the committee in April 2001.

"We will continue to report to the committee and put forward our position on all relevant issues," the spokesman said.

"The next submission of the report on Hong Kong is expected around mid 2003. It is likely to be considered by the committee in 2005," the spokesman said.

(People's Daily April 30, 2002)