HONG KONG: Hong Kong's high court on Friday (Sep 18) ruled that same-sex couples should receive equal treatment under inheritance law, in a step forward for LGBT rights in the finance hub.
But the victory came on the same day as a separate legal bid for full recognition of foreign same-sex marriages was struck down, underscoring what campaigners say is a lack of progress on equality issues.
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Hong Kong's law does not allow same-sex marriage and does not recognise foreign unions, though limited recognition has been granted in recent years in several landmark rulings.
Edgar Ng, a gay Hong Konger, last year launched a legal challenge against the city's inheritance and intestacy laws, alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
In 2018 he bought a government-subsidised flat, a year after marrying his partner in London, according to court documents.
Under Hong Kong's housing policy, his husband cannot be recognised as the joint homeowner, and Ng was concerned that should he die without a will, his property would not be passed to his partner.
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In the judgement handed down on Friday, Judge Anderson Chow said the exclusion of spouses in same-sex marriages from their legal entitlements "constitutes unlawful discrimination".
The judge said "differential treatment is not justified".
LGBT rights activists with campaign group Hong Kong Marriage Equality described the ruling as an "important victory".Read More – Source
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's high court on Friday (Sep 18) ruled that same-sex couples should receive equal treatment under inheritance law, in a step forward for LGBT rights in the finance hub.
But the victory came on the same day as a separate legal bid for full recognition of foreign same-sex marriages was struck down, underscoring what campaigners say is a lack of progress on equality issues.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong's law does not allow same-sex marriage and does not recognise foreign unions, though limited recognition has been granted in recent years in several landmark rulings.
Edgar Ng, a gay Hong Konger, last year launched a legal challenge against the city's inheritance and intestacy laws, alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
In 2018 he bought a government-subsidised flat, a year after marrying his partner in London, according to court documents.
Under Hong Kong's housing policy, his husband cannot be recognised as the joint homeowner, and Ng was concerned that should he die without a will, his property would not be passed to his partner.
Advertisement
Advertisement
In the judgement handed down on Friday, Judge Anderson Chow said the exclusion of spouses in same-sex marriages from their legal entitlements "constitutes unlawful discrimination".
The judge said "differential treatment is not justified".
LGBT rights activists with campaign group Hong Kong Marriage Equality described the ruling as an "important victory".Read More – Source
