Taiwan court could rule in favour of same-sex marriage this week
Taiwan could be set to legalise same-sex marriage as a court ruling on the issue is expected on Wednesday morning.
Those in favour of same-sex marriage have said they expect the ruling will be positive.
But there are also demonstrations against the legalisation of the unions expected by religious and conservative groups.
The decision is expected at 08:00 GMT, as 14 grand justices rule on Taiwan’s current law and whether it is unconstitutional.
The case was brought to the court by LGBT rights campaigner Chi Chia-wei.
Speaking to AFP, Chi said he is “100 percent confident” that the court will rule in favour of same-sex marriage.
He urged a quick change in the process of marrying and says same-sex couples should be allowed to marry immediately.
The case challenges Taiwan’s Civil Code which currently specifically stipulates that marriage is between one man and one woman.
Any ruling by the justices would be binding if a majority of 10 or more judges agreed.
Indicating international interest, the ruling will be made both in Chinese and in English.
If the justices rule in favour of same-sex marriage, Taiwan would be the first Asian country to legalise it.
Earlier this year a legislator who introduced a bill to legalise same-sex marriage said she was cautiously optimistic that it could pass.
The Committee in Taiwan’s Legislature passed an amendment to include same-sex marriage in the Civil Code of the country on 26 December.
The passage of the amendment was the first step in legalising same-sex marriage.
