ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - Most parliamentary benches on Wednesday supported a government bill on family, marriage and common-law relationships. However, most opposed the idea that the same law should regulate the rights relating to
family and those relating to common-law relationships, especially between people of the same gender.
ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - Most parliamentary benches on Wednesday
supported a government bill on family, marriage and common-law
relationships. However, most opposed the idea that the same law
should regulate the rights relating to family and those relating to
common-law relationships, especially between people of the same
gender. #L#
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and
Croatian Bloc (HB) benches categorically refused the bill mainly
because of provisions regulating common-law relationships between
persons of the same sex and the possibility of their adopting
children, as well as because of provisions allowing marriage
between first cousins.
The three parties accused the government of having moved the bill
only to legalise same-sex relationships, with the aim of imposing
this trend on the Croatian society.
They request that common-law relationships be regulated by a
special law so that the institution of marriage and family is
preserved in society.
All benches accepted the increase in the age of people adopting
children from the former 35 to 45 years, as well as the rescinding of
all administrative obstacles to adoption.
Benches of the ruling coalition supported the bill, but the
Croatian Peasants Party (HSS) opposed equating the rights of
common-law relationships with those of same-sex relationships. The
party believes that relationships between people of the same gender
should be regulated by a special law.
The Opposition's HDZ, DC, HB, as well as the Croatian Party of
Rights/Croatian Christian Democratic Party benches opposed
regulating same-sex relationships by the bill.
The Social Democratic Party bench supported the bill, stating that
homosexual partners have the right of choice and way of life, as
well as the right to the protection of human rights.
The bill was also supported by the Croatian People's
Party/Primorje-Gorski Kotar Party/Slavonia Baranja Croatian
Party, Libra, Liberal Party and the Croatian Social Liberal Party
benches.
(hina) lml sb