- The Hong Kong government will propose legislation for same-sex couples' rights
- Legislation will allow recognition for couples married abroad under a new registration mechanism
- The proposed rights focus on healthcare and end-of-life matters, excluding housing and taxes
The Hong Kong government said on Wednesday it will propose legislation to recognise some rights of same-sex couples whose marriages are registered abroad, to comply with a 2023 court judgement.
"The government recommends legislation to allow same-sex couples to apply for registration under a newly established registration mechanism, so that their same-sex relationships can be legally recognised," the government said in a policy document, noting that only couples lawfully married abroad will be eligible.
Hong Kong's top judges in a 2023 landmark decision unanimously declared marriage "confined to opposite-sex couples".
But the court also ordered the government to create an "alternative framework" within two years that recognises same-sex couples' legal rights.
The government's policy paper on Wednesday limited the scope to healthcare-related rights -- such as hospital visits, making medical decisions, sharing medical information and organ donation -- and rights related to a person's death.
The issue will be discussed by lawmakers in a committee meeting Thursday, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang told journalists.
He declined to specify a target date for passing the bill.
Hong Kong reformed its legislature in 2021 so that only those loyal to Beijing can hold office, ousting pro-democracy lawmakers en masse.
Members of the pro-Beijing camp have spoken out against legal recognition of same-sex couples' rights, insisting that Hong Kong society only tolerates marriage between man and woman.
Wednesday's policy document does not mention rights related to housing, inheritance or taxes -- topics addressed in Hong Kong's previous legal battles over LGBTQ equality.
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