To grant privileges and immunities in Hong Kong to the International Committee of the Red Cross and its delegates, and for connected purposes.
[14 July 1989]
(Format changes—E.R. 1 of 2019)
This Ordinance may be cited as the Privileges and Immunities (International Committee of the Red Cross) Ordinance.
In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires—
committee (委員會) means the International Committee of the Red Cross; delegate (代表) means a person appointed by the International Committee of the Red Cross as a member of its regional delegation in Hong Kong.The committee has the privileges and immunities set out in Schedule 1.
A delegate has the privileges and immunities set out in Schedule 2.
Where a question arises as to whether or not a person is entitled to a privilege or immunity under this Ordinance, a certificate issued by the Chief Secretary for Administration stating a fact relevant to that question is conclusive evidence of that fact.
(Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
The committee is immune from suit and legal process for things done or omitted to be done in the course of the performance of official duties.
The committee’s archives, documents and premises occupied as offices are inviolable.
The committee’s premises occupied as offices and residences of delegates are exempt from taxes and rates, but the exemption does not affect the liability of any other person to pay taxes or rates in relation to those premises.
The committee is exempt from duties and taxes on the importation of goods directly imported by it for its official use in Hong Kong or for exportation, or on the importation of its publications directly imported by it, subject to compliance with conditions that the Commissioner of Customs and Excise may prescribe for the protection of revenue.
The committee is exempt from prohibitions and restrictions on importation or exportation of goods directly imported or exported by it for its official use and of its publications directly imported or exported by it.
A delegate is immune from suit and legal process for things done or omitted to be done in the course of the performance of official duties.
Subparagraph (1) does not apply in the case of a civil action by a third party for damages arising from a traffic accident in Hong Kong.
A delegate is exempt from salaries tax for emoluments received as a delegate of the committee.