Hong Kong criticised for rejecting bill giving ‘bare minimum’ rights to same-sex couples

Legislative council voted down a bill that was introduced to comply with an order from the city's top court

Human rights groups have accused the Hong Kong government of failing to provide the bare minimum" of rights to same-sex couples after it rejected a bill that was introduced to comply with an order by the city's top court.

The city's unicameral legislative council (LegCo), on Wednesday rejected the bill by a vote of 71-14 after the second reading, following months of debate in the city between opponents who said it threatened family values and advocates who said the government was out of line with the majority of residents who supported same-sex relationships.