UPDATE 1-Hong Kong court upholds ban on same-sex civil partnerships

A Hong Kong court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage and civil union partnerships on Friday after a lesbian-identified as 'MK' launched the city's first judicial challenge on the issue, stating it violated her constitutional rights.

Rights group Amnesty International described the judgment as a "bitter blow" for LGBT+ people in Hong Kong. "Sadly, the discriminatory treatment of same-sex couples will continue for the time being," Amnesty said in a statement.

The Court of First Instance ruled that the government was not obliged to provide an alternative legal framework such as civil unions, giving same-sex couples equal rights and benefits enjoyed by opposite-sex married couples. The court said that, while there are diverse and opposing views in society, it expressed "no view on the associated social, moral and/or religious issues" and that it had adopted a strictly legal approach to the matter.

Homosexuality has been decriminalized since 1991 in Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The city has an annual pride parade and a lively gay scene. It does not, however, recognize same-sex marriage and LGBT+ activists voice concerns about widespread discrimination. Hong Kong's top court in June ruled in favour of a gay civil servant fighting for spousal and tax benefits for his husband.

Also Read: UPDATE 1-Hong Kong protesters rampage as police call for curfew