Race for opportunity: Diversity List – Tanner De Witt supports local cause

21Mar2016

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed with a series of events and activities worldwide on 21 March each year. Today, members of our Litigation and Dispute Resolution department and our newly launched PIER Group participated in the Race for Opportunity: Diversity List launch event organised by The Zubin Foundation. The Zubin Foundation is a non-profit think tank in Hong Kong. The mission of TZF is to educate the public on social issues that do not receive enough attention in our city.

Tanner De Witt team and guests
Tanner De Witt team and guests

The lunch began with opening remarks given by Ms Shalini Mahtani, MBE co-founder of The Zubin Foundation followed by Mrs. Carrie Lam, the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong SAR. We were honoured to have Azan Marwah, Barrister at Gilt Chambers and legal advocate in discrimination and human rights law. Azan Marwah was one of 16 candidates on the list. Shaphan Marwah also a Barrister, Alia Eyres CEO of Mother’s Choice and Phyllis Marwah Co-founder of Mother’s Choice were also seated at our table.

Carrie Lam, the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong SAR
Carrie Lam, the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong SAR

“Race for Opportunity: Diversity List is a list of ethnically diverse candidates, prepared by The Zubin Foundation (TZF), who have the necessary professional skills and commitment to serve on the HKSARG advisory subcommittees. DIVERSITY LIST is the first list of its kind in Hong Kong. It is hoped that by presenting suitable candidates for advisory boards, that HKSARG will consider these individuals, alongside their Hong Kong Chinese counterparts. The objectives of this gathering is to launch the list of ethnically diverse candidates, to engage key stakeholders including civil servants, NGO leaders and academics on how to develop a future for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong and to share and learn about the key issues ethnic monitories in Hong Kong are facing.”

The Zubin Foundation

If you would like to read more about The Zubin Foundation, click here. The South China Morning Post published an article this morning about the diversity list. Click here to read.

Shalini Mahtani, MBE Co-founder of The Zubin Foundation
Shalini Mahtani, MBE
Co-founder of The Zubin Foundation

Tanner De Witt’s newly launched practice area, the Public Interest and Equal Rights (PIER) Group will focus on providing access to justice and use the legal system to promote public good through individual cases. Our mission is to specialise in issue-oriented work such as civil rights litigation, discrimination, LGBT equality rights, child protection and medical malpractice.

For more information on the work of The PIER Group, please contact Mark Side directly by email.