Comparative Human Rights

Gender Initiatives for WSR Works
Principal Investigator: Puja Kapai
Project Period: Dec 2016 – (no deadline)
Funding Source: The Association of Commonwealth Universities

Street Law – Human Rights Community Education
Principal Investigator: Lindsay Ernst
Project Period: 04/09/2014 -31/12/2018
Funding Source: Skadden Fellowship Foundation (pure donation)

Proportionality in Criminal Punishment
Principal Investigator: Peter Chau
Project Period: 01/01/2016 – 31/12/2017
Funding Source: General Research Fund (RGC)

Disability Rights Experiential Learning Programme 
Principal Investigator: Kelley Loper 
Project Period: 01/10/2015 – 31/12/2015 
Funding Source: Experiential Learning Fund – Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre

The Status of Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong 1997-2014 
Principal Investigator: Puja Kapai 
Project Period: 01/04/2014 – 31/10/2015 
Funding Source: The Zubin Foundation

Disability Rights Portal 
Principal Investigator: Kelley Loper 
Project Period: 01/01/2014 – 31/05/2014 (extended) 
Funding Source: Open Society Institute

Legal Assistance for Asylum Seekers and Torture Claimants in Hong Kong 
Principal Investigator: Kelley Loper 
Co-Investigator: Simon Young 
Project Period: October 2009 – September 2012 
Funding Source: Research Grants Council Public Policy Research Grant 2009/2010 
This study aims to identify alternative approaches to the provision of legal assistance to asylum seekers and torture claimants through an examination of relevant legal assistance schemes in other common law jurisdictions. The project will determine gaps in Hong Kong law and policy and then assess whether any elements of the comparative models investigated are appropriate for adoption in the Hong Kong context. The study seeks to identify an effective legal aid and assistance model for claimants and to determine what criteria can be used to measure suitability of comparative models for potential application in Hong Kong.

Harnessing a Framework for Effective Remedies: A Comparative Analysis of the Legal Responses to Domestic Violence 
Principal Investigator: Puja Kapai 
Project Period: January 2009 – June 2010 
Funding Source: Research Grants Council CERG 2008/2009 
The HKSAR Government has recently amended the Domestic Violence Ordinance in an attempt to remedy some of the problems faced by the victim community. The continued appraisal of the law’s response to domestic violence is critical in order to make calculated further improvements and to move forward in the right direction. This project considers legal responses to domestic violence in Singapore and the United Kingdom and compares these approaches with the recent developments in Hong Kong. It will examine current legislation and case law in these jurisdictions in order to determine where Hong Kong stands on the spectrum of reform in domestic violence laws. The objectives of the study are to examine the civil and criminal remedies currently available in the three jurisdictions, evaluate the responsiveness and effectiveness of these remedies and to assess indicators of success.