Recognising same-sex partnerships is vital for inclusive, diverse Hong Kong
The bill was introduced to comply with a landmark ruling by the Court of Final Appeal in 2023. The court held that the government has a positive obligation under the Hong Kong Bill of Rights to establish an alternative legal framework for the legal recognition and rights of same-sex partnerships. This obligation goes beyond requiring the government to introduce the bill to the Legislative Council, but requires the actual 'establishment' of such a legal framework.
In other words, if the bill is not passed and as a result no such legal framework is established, the legal effect is that the government will continue to be in breach of its human rights obligations. The order was suspended for a period of two years for the government to comply with the ruling.
The bill has understandably attracted criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. One camp has argued that the bill, which contains rights related to medical and after-death arrangements for same-sex partners, does not go far enough in protecting the core rights of same-sex couples. The other has complained that the bill has undermined traditional family values. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that Legco is not under any obligation to pass the bill.
It is hoped that a solution is found to break this impasse.
Justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done. It is imperative to maintaining public confidence in the rule of law in Hong Kong that court orders are not only complied with but that the terms of the court order are equally clearly and manifestly seen to be complied with.
At the risk of stating the obvious, in a period when Hong Kong is seeking to attract talent from overseas, it is vital that Hong Kong maintains its image as an inclusive and diverse city.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China, EU must show mutual respect in more complicated world
The 25th China-European Union summit fell in the 50th anniversary year of diplomatic relations. The double milestone set the stage for guiding strained ties between the two trading giants towards less troubled waters. Economic tensions compounded by the Ukraine war could not be mended overnight. But President Xi Jinping set the tone and pointed the way forward ahead of the summit chaired by Premier Li Qiang, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. In a meeting with the European leaders, Xi described China and the EU as 'two big guys' in the world. That is a compelling reminder the world is facing huge complexity, and the more complicated it is, the more imperative it is for China and Europe to show mutual respect, find common ground and keep open minds in the search for win-win outcomes to economic and security concerns. Xi said that amid accelerating transformation and an international landscape fraught with turbulence, China and Europe must demonstrate vision and responsibility by making the right strategic choices 'that meet people's expectations and stand the test of history'. The strategic situation is fluid, with Europe facing steep tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Xi said the two sides should reinforce their partnership as a cornerstone in bilateral ties, adding that the challenges Europe is facing 'were not from China'. Beijing hoped Europe would likewise respect its chosen development path and political system, acknowledge its core interests and major concerns.
South China Morning Post
9 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China trade talks could include TikTok, Lutnick says
TikTok may come up in trade talks with China next week , but if Beijing does not approve a divestment deal for Chinese owner ByteDance, the app will soon go dark in the United States, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Thursday. US President Donald Trump's administration will allow TikTok to remain in the US 'if it's in American control, and … China can have a little piece or ByteDance, the current owner, can keep a little piece', Lutnick said, speaking on CNBC. 'Americans will have control. Americans will own the technology, and Americans will control the algorithm. That's something Donald Trump is willing to do. If that deal gets approved then by the Chinese, then that deal will happen,' he said. 'If they don't approve it, then TikTok is going to go dark, and those decisions are coming very soon.' Asked whether an agreement over TikTok is part of current trade negotiations, Lutnick said 'yes and no'. 'It's not really part of the trade talks, but you can't really go meet somebody and not bring up the topics that are relevant,' he said. 'So … it's not officially part of it, but unofficially? Of course.' ByteDance is under pressure to divest the short-video app by September 17 or face a ban in the US. Last year, then-US President Joe Biden signed a sale-or-ban law, requiring that a 'foreign adversary' no longer control the app, defined as a 20 per cent stake, over national security concerns. Despite an original January deadline, Trump has repeatedly delayed enforcement of the law. The original deadline as set in law was January 19, with allowance for a one-time 90-day extension if progress towards a sale was evident. Trump had extended that deadline his first day in office via executive order, days after a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping during which TikTok was discussed. He has since extended it twice more.
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China slams US envoy nominee for framing Argentina as a great power ‘battlefield'
China has issued a sharp rebuke to comments made by Peter Lamelas, the US ambassador-designate to Argentina, saying they reflected a 'Cold War mentality' after he accused Beijing of fostering corruption and being a malign influence across Latin America. At his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Lamelas said he intended to travel across Argentine provinces to monitor agreements involving Chinese companies, which he claimed 'could lend themselves to corruption'. On Thursday, the Chinese embassy in Buenos Aires condemned the remarks, warning that such rhetoric risked turning Argentina into 'a battlefield for great power confrontation'. The statement also accused Lamelas of ideological prejudice and criticised what it described as an outdated foreign policy reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine. During the hearing, Lamelas – a Cuban-born doctor and Republican donor with no prior diplomatic experience – grouped China with Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Iran, saying these governments were working to undermine democratic values in the region. He identified limiting their influence as a key objective if confirmed to the post. The hearing also drew swift political responses in Argentina. Several provincial governors denounced the comments as interference in domestic affairs. Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof said that Lamelas would not be welcome in the province, while opposition lawmakers presented a resolution urging the government to reject the nomination altogether.
