Slovenia currently recognizes same-sex registered partnerships, giving same-sex partners access to one another's pensions and property. This has been the case since the adoption of a law in July 2005. The law became effective on July 23, 2006. The country will also vote on a gender-neutral marriage bill within the next few months.
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Registered partnership
A registered partnership law was adopted on 22 June 2005, titled Zakon o registraciji istospolne partnerske skupnosti (ZRIPS). The law covers only property relations, the right/obligation to support a socially weaker partner, and inheritance rights to a degree. It does not grant any rights in the area of social security (social and health insurance, pension rights) and it does not confer the status of a next-of-kin to the partners. The adoption of this law sparked a political debate in the National Assembly, with Slovenian National Party deputies opposing recognition of same-sex partners. The opposition Social Democrats and Liberals, arguing that the law proposed was too weak, refused to take part in the voting, leaving the chamber. The vote succeeded with 44 votes for and 3 against.
A more comprehensive Registered Partnership Bill passed the first reading in Parliament in July 2004 but was rejected by Parliament during the second reading in March 2005. The bill would have provided for all rights inherent to marriage apart from joint adoption rights.
On 31 March 2005, the government proposed a new partnership bill, described above, providing access to pensions and property. It was passed in July 2005, and became effective on July 23, 2006.
On 2 July 2009, the Constitutional Court of Slovenia found that it was unconstitutional to prevent registered partners from inheriting each other's property. It held that treating registered partners differently from married partners constituted discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, breaching Article 14 of the Slovenian Constitution.[1] It gave the Parliament six months to remedy the situation.[2]
Same-sex marriage
On July 2, 2009, the Minister of the Interior, Katarina Kresal (LDS), announced that Slovenia is likely to legalize same-sex marriage in the near future, citing the government's commitment to provide equal rights for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. The announcement stirred some level of public controversy, mainly because it provided grounds for same-sex adoption.[3]
On September 21, 2009, the Government presented a draft of the new Family Code, which would allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt children.[4][5][6][7][8] Currently, bill is debates.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] In November 2009, the Government announced will introduce amendments to the current bill in early December. According to governmental sources new law will take effect on May 1, 2011.[16] If passed, Slovenia will become the first country in Central Europe as well as the first former communist country to legalize same-sex marriage. As well as the first european republic to do so : Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Norway & Sweden which already allow same-sex marriage are all constitutional monarchies.
See also
- LGBT rights in Slovenia
- Civil union
- Registered partnership
- Same-sex marriage in the European Union
- Marriage, unions and partnerships by country
References
- ^ Court Decision in Case U-I-425/06
- ^ Slovenian court: gay union law discriminatory
- ^ Slovenia to legalize soon same-sex marriage: minister
- ^ New Family Law Allowing Gay Marriage Stirs Controversy
- ^ Under the new Code, same-sex partners to child adoption
- ^ Natural Order Of Things (Everyone Needs A Family)
- ^ PREDLOG DRUŽINSKEGA ZAKONIKA
- ^ MOTION Family Code
- ^ The new Family Code - a revolutionary step forward or without slipping back?
- ^ Public opinion divided adoption of children of gay community
- ^ When the Family Code in November get the Commission for Justice and Peace
- ^ Proposal twenty family code release
- ^ Expiry of the public consultation on the draft family code
- ^ Family Code to protect children
- ^ Deputies and Experts Clash Over Concept of Family
- ^ Soon the family present its revised proposal of the Code
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