Hong Kong is committed to the protection of human rights and has a comprehensive institutional framework to safeguard different rights and freedoms, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said in response to the United States' annual report on human rights conditions worldwide.

The U.S. State Department on Wednesday released its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2008, using sources that itself deemed "reliable" to evaluate the human rights conditions in other countries and regions, although they usually fell short in comments on human rights record in the United States and places tied to it.

The part of the report on China dedicated to the HKSAR acknowledged that the HKSAR government generally respected the human rights of its citizens but also picked on some issues, like the interpretation of certain parts of the HKSAR Basic Law.

The HKSAR government spokesman said on Thursday the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) has the power to interpret the Basic Law in accordance with the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law, a mini-constitution for the city.

"This is part of Hong Kong's constitutional order under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle. This principle is fully acknowledged and respected in Hong Kong and by its courts," the HKSAR government statement quoted the spokesman as saying.

Regarding the issue of election in Hong Kong, the spokesman explained that the decision adopted by the NPCSC in December 2007 has determined the timetable for attaining universal suffrage in Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive may be elected by universal suffrage in 2017 and the Legislative Council (LegCo) may be elected by universal suffrage in 2020.

The spokesman said the community will have to deal with the issue of returning functional constituencies so as to ensure universal and equal suffrage in the future.

The HKSAR government will consult the public on electoral methods of both the Chief Executive and the LegCo for 2012 in the fourth quarter of this year, with the aim of determining the methods for 2012 and enhancing democratic elements, he said.

"This could then lay a solid foundation for attaining universal suffrage for the CE in 2017, and for the LegCo in 2020," he said.

The spokesman also said the HKSAR government is committed to combating racial discrimination and promoting equal opportunities for ethnic minorities, among others.

On the freedom of the press, the spokesman said the media in Hong Kong report freely in Hong Kong, commenting extensively and liberally on local and external matters, and on Government policies, programs and activities.

"A free press flourishes in Hong Kong. The media rigorously performs its role in monitoring the work of the (HKSAR) government," he said, adding that the rights and freedoms were protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance.

Source: Xinhua