Croatia: Parliament to vote on civil partnership law next month
Croatia’s Parliament is set to vote on a civil partnership law next month, after the draft bill finally gained approval.
Yesterday the government finally greenlit the final draft of the Life Partnership Act, which was first announced by Prime Minister Zoran Milanović over two years ago.
The bill will grant more legal rights to same-sex couples than they currently have, recognising their unions, but not granting adoption rights, or marriage status.
According to Balkan Insight, Milanović said legislation “is not offensive to anyone”, adding: “It’s a humane law, an inclusive and not an exclusive law.”
It is reportedly set to go before Parliament in July, before the summer break.
Daniel Martinovic, of Zagreb Pride, said: “Although the law is a bit conservative and doesn’t enable adoption, it is essential for same-sex couples.
“It gives couples legal recognition, all major rights, and is satisfactory in every way. In addition, we would like to enable lifetime partnerships for heterosexual couples, thus ending this ‘segregation’.”
In December last year, 65% of voters approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, after a successful lobbying campaign by a ‘traditional family’ group.
The group have also attacked the new law, claiming it “does not respect the citizens’ will formulated in the referendum on marriage.”
Croatia country has recognised the Unregistered cohabitations of same-sex couples since 2003, but the rights granted by current laws are very slim.
