Latest news with #CourtOfFinalAppeal
News24
15-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
Hong Kong leader backs same-sex rights bill, despite criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians
Hong Kong leader John Lee supports a bill recognising limited rights for same-sex couples. His administration proposed legislation to recognise some rights for same-sex partners. But the proposal drew near-universal criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians. Hong Kong leader John Lee threw his weight behind a bill recognising limited rights for same-sex couples on Tuesday, despite fears that opposition from pro-Beijing parties could sink it. Lee's administration proposed legislation this month to recognise some rights for same-sex partners whose marriages are registered abroad. Despite LGBTQ activists arguing it does not go far enough, the proposal drew near-universal criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians that dominate Hong Kong's legislature. The clash pitted Lee against conservative lawmakers from his own camp and led some to fear the proposal might be pulled. The city's top court ordered Hong Kong's government to create an 'alternative framework' for LGBTQ couples when it quashed a bid to recognise same-sex marriage in 2023. Lee said on Tuesday the government 'must not act in violation' of the Court of Final Appeal's judgement. 'Otherwise, it will be against the rule of law... Violating the rule of law will mean serious consequences,' he told reporters. The government will respect the legislature's final decision, he added. In 2023, the court unanimously defined marriage as 'confined to opposite-sex couples' - a stance Lee reiterated on Tuesday. LGBTQ activists say the bill - which only covers 'rights related to medical matters' and 'right to handle after-death arrangements' - fails to satisfy the court's framework requirements. Chan Long Hei/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images China is not among the countries around the world that have legalised marriage equality since the Netherlands became the first to do so in 2001. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China with its own legislature and a mini-constitution that guarantees a 'high degree of autonomy'. Pro-Beijing firebrand lawmaker Junius Ho earlier floated the idea of asking Beijing's top legislature to overrule Hong Kong's apex court to 'protect traditional family values'. Support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong has grown over the past decade and hit 60%, according to a 2023 survey.
South China Morning Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Recognising same-sex partnerships is vital for inclusive, diverse Hong Kong
On July 3, the Hong Kong government outlined its plan to submit the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill to the Legislative Council. The bill provides for an alternative framework that sets out the registration procedure and the rights of same-sex couples. 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.
South China Morning Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's necessary step forward on same-sex partnerships
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Two years after the Court of Final Appeal's landmark ruling, the government has finally unveiled its proposal to recognise same-sex partnerships. While this represents a welcome, though cautious, step forward, it falls short of the comprehensive equality envisioned by the court. The proposal's limitations are glaring. It grants only a narrow set of rights, such as the right to make medical decisions. Most puzzling is the requirement that couples must have registered their union overseas. This stipulation is both arbitrary and counterproductive. The government has already laid out specific criteria for recognition; adding a foreign registration requirement serves no real purpose, except to invite further legal disputes. Despite these shortcomings, the proposal is a necessary first step. Yet it has already drawn criticism from conservative lawmakers, who said it would threaten traditional family values. Such claims are misleading. The government is not introducing same-sex marriage, but establishing a separate partnership registry in compliance with the court's ruling. This is about fulfilling a legal obligation, not redefining marriage. Since decriminalising homosexuality, Hong Kong has made meaningful strides towards greater inclusion. At its heart, this issue is about fairness. Regardless of the ongoing debate over specific rights, the principle is clear: same-sex couples deserve legal protection of their human dignity. It is time for both the government and society to meet that responsibility.
South China Morning Post
05-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong housing authorities quietly open door for same-sex couples
Hong Kong's housing authorities have opened up applications for public rental and subsidised homes to same-sex couples as part of efforts to address a ruling from the city's top court last year, the Post has learned. The measures, including modifying the application form for seeking second-hand subsidised homes, were implemented without any public announcement. While lawmakers said the government had responded to the Court of Final Appeal's decision prudently and within a reasonable time frame, a concern group expressed hope that the changes could have been publicly announced. In a reply to the Post, the Housing Authority said: 'Upon receiving [public rental home] applications involving same-sex married spouses, we will handle the case in accordance with the practice adopted for the 'ordinary families' applicant category.' A spokesman added that the authority would continue to process such applications and those for buying subsidised flats from same-sex married couples. The authority had yet to receive any public rental housing applications from any same-sex couples as of Thursday.
South China Morning Post
05-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong housing authorities quietly open door for same-sex couples
Hong Kong's housing authorities have opened up applications for public rental and subsidised homes to same-sex couples as part of efforts to address a ruling from the city's top court last year, the Post has learned. The measures, including modifying the application form for seeking second-hand subsidised homes, were implemented without any public announcement. While lawmakers said the government had responded to the Court of Final Appeal's decision prudently and within a reasonable time frame, a concern group expressed hope that the changes could have been publicly announced. In a reply to the Post, the Housing Authority said: 'Upon receiving [public rental home] applications involving same-sex married spouses, we will handle the case in accordance with the practice adopted for the 'ordinary families' applicant category.' A spokesman added that the authority would continue to process such applications and those for buying subsidised flats from same-sex married couples. The authority had yet to receive any public rental housing applications from any same-sex couples as of Thursday.
