Sep 8, 2010
European Parliament debates the recognition of same-sex unions in the EU
European Parliament debates the recognition of same-sex unions in the EU
STRASBOURG, 8 September 2010 — Yesterday night, Members of the European Parliament from 4 political groups[1] told the Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship that more must be done to uphold same-sex couples’ fundamental rights throughout the European Union.
Currently, same-sex couples in a marriage[2] or civil partnership[3] often lose custody, fiscal and consular rights when moving from one EU Member State to another—despite EU law guaranteeing freedom of movement. MEPs expressed dismay at the patchy application of a 2004 Directive on Freedom of Movement for citizens in same-sex unions, and called on Commissioner Viviane Reding to ensure all married or in-civil partnership couples could exercise their fundamental rights.
Commissioner Reding agreed; she responded that “the law is very clear: it’s about non-discrimination, right to free movement and mutual recognition. [...] If you live in a legally-recognised same-sex partnership or marriage in a country A, you have the right—and that is a fundamental right—to take this status, and the one of your partner, to country B. If not, it is a violation of EU law.” The Commissioner affirmed she was currently working on the issue through bilateral meetings, and bringing national governments to apply EU law. She added: “When is this going to happen? Now! Not in 5 or 10 years. [...] If there is no understanding [from governments], then more harsh measures have to be applied.”
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-president of the Intergroup on LGBT Rights, commented: “The fundamental rights laid down in EU law are for every citizen, regardless of their sexual orientation. We need the Commission to push forward, not to wait for Member States to ‘slowly’ or ‘maybe’ do what they must, by law, do for each and every EU citizen.”
Michael Cashman MEP, Co-president of the Intergroup on LGBT Rights, further added: “This is about relationships, possibly the most personal and private aspect of one’s life. Basic EU rights must be guaranteed to everyone. This has nothing to do with changing Member States’ marriage laws: it has to do with enabling free movement across the EU.”
During the debate, Ms Lunacek addressed Ms Reding: “Please push; many in this Parliament want to push with you.”
Members of the European Parliament will now ask the Commissioner to clarify her commitments, and await the Fundamental Rights Agency’s January 2011 updated report on homophobia in the EU.
http://www.lgbt-ep.eu/press-releases/european-parliament-debates-recognition-of-same-sex-unions/
Watch the full debate in 23 languages: http://tinyurl.com/EPmutualrecognition
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Arcigay’s Press Release
ITALY IS AGAIN THE LAUGHING STOCK OF EUROPE
On September 7 at the European Parliament, during the debate on freedom of movement within the European Community and the rights of same-sex couples, Italy has once again proved itself the laughing stock of Europe on civil rights. The MEPs of PDL (People of Freedom Party) and Northern League have again distinguished themselves in negative over the topic of freedom of movement and discrimination against married/registered same-sex couples, on which the European Commission itself had already issued a resolution in 2004, calling on member states to facilitate this right.
Italy had been called to guarantee the rights of same-sex couples, who legally married or joined in a registered partnership abroad and then move to Italy or travel there for short periods of time. These couples are in a condition of objective discrimination because of the restrictions to their freedom of movement rights and lack of automatic recognition of civil status.
The majority of MEPs that have spoken during the debate, including the European Commissioner Vivian Reding, reiterated the request of a major involvement of the Commission in monitoring the resolution implementation. Only four speeches were recorded against: a Polish MEP of ECR (European Conservative) and three Italian MEPs from the governing center-right coalition: PDL (People of Freedom Party) and Northern League.
In particular, MEP Oreste Rossi (Northern League) left the European Parliament stunned with a theological speech on natural family, which was so poor of arguments and so full of anger against same-sex couples that remembered the speeches of the most homophobic religious leaders.
At the end of the debate, Commissioner Reading has confirmed that the European Commission will undertake to verify that the resolution on freedom of movement is properly applied in all states of the EU and that the implementation is not missing out the rights of same-sex couples.
Arcigay welcomes the Commission’s audit and will submit a detailed dossier on the obvious failings of the Italian government in implementing the resolution.
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