Following is the welcome address by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC, at the Second Children's Issues Forum at the University of Hong Kong this morning (August 27):

Judge (Bebe) Chu, Mr Justice Hartmann, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am very delighted that the Second Children's Issues Forum is held in Hong Kong today and tomorrow, following the success of the first forum three years ago. Let me first of all extend my very warm welcome to all of you, including in particular speakers and guests from overseas and Mainland China.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Hong Kong has all along attached great importance to the protection of human rights. Needless to say, children's rights are no less important than adults' rights. As children are often helpless and sometimes cannot protect themselves, the protection of children's rights merits special attention.

The provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, first extended to Hong Kong in 1994, continue to apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) after July 1, 1997. This demonstrates the HKSAR's continuous commitment to respect and promote children's rights.

In July 2010, the Government made our second periodic report to the United Nations. The report will be examined by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. We will study the observations made during the hearing process, and will endeavour to make such appropriate improvements as may be necessary.

Ends/Monday, August 27, 2012