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European Parliament Fights for Equality
January 15, 2003 12:00 AM
European Liberal Democrats are determined to keep up the pressure for the EU and Member States to grant legal recognition to unmarried and same-sex partnerships.
Speaking from Strasbourg after a majority vote (1) in the European Parliament reaffirming EP support for this policy, Liberal group justice spokeswoman Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat MEP for London, said:
"This is a core European human rights issue. In some countries like the UK people are still being denied legal rights like inheritance and recognition as next of kin because they choose not to or cannot marry. This must change, if we believe in encouraging stable committed relationships."
"Many EU countries now have some form of legally recognised civil partnership. But because the law varies, couples who have legal rights at home cannot rely on being treated the same throughout Europe."
"This question will come to the fore in a forthcoming vote (2) on modernising EU free movement rights. On this law, the European Parliament has equal weight with the Council of Ministers which groups EU governments.
"If the European Parliament achieves the majority we need (314 votes in favour), we will then have to persuade member States to agree."
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(1) On a report on human rights in the EU
(2) On the Santini report, vote in Civil Liberties committee next Tuesday, Jan 21st.
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