チェコが同性ユニオンを認める次の国？ - Gay.com UK

Czech Rep next for gay unions?
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK
Tuesday 20 September, 2005 13:12

The Czech Republic could be the latest to offer legal recognition for same-sex couples, after proposed new laws made their first tentative steps in the country’s parliament.

Laws allowing civil unions were passed through the first stages of a vote, after the Communist opposition party backed the proposals for the first time.

Previous attempts to introduce the legislation to the parliament by the government were blocked by MPs, many of whom said the proposals would be destructive to the traditional family unit.

However, the government has maintained that the new laws would offer equality to the country’s lesbian and gay population only and would not be gay marriage.

Additionally, it would help the country adhere to a commitment to equality made when it joined the European Union last year.

The proposed changes would give same-sex couples inheritance and next of kin rights, similar to the package on offer through the UK’s Civil Partnership Act.

According to some press reports, couples would also have ‘domestic partners’ noted on their identity cards, which are compulsory in the country.

However, some fear that the latest backing of the laws, which are still at an initial committee stage, will be lost further down the line.

MPs blocked the legislation as recently as February this year, when the proposals were blocked by just one vote. It was the fourth time the laws were blocked.

Gay campaigners are now calling for the issue to enter parliament as soon as possible, fearful that a delay will see the issue being used in the country’s upcoming election to mobilise the right wing.

It is not the first time that some of the newer members of the EU have attempted to update their gay rights policies.

Poland has also called for more rights to be given to lesbian and gay couples looking to register their unions.

However, the staunchly Catholic country was criticised by the late Pope and Polish native John Paul II for discussing the idea.

Elsewhere in Europe, France and Germany offer similar civil union packages to lesbian and gay couples.

Only the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain allow full gay marriage in Europe.