Green MEP for the South East, Dr Caroline Lucas, has helped to launch a resolution in the European Parliament to demand equal recognition of civil partnerships in EU law.
Dr Lucas has co-sponsored a Written Declaration, like an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons, with four other Euro-MPs (1) to urge changes in the EU Citizens Directive and Charter of Fundamental Rights so that people in same-sex partnerships are guaranteed an equal status in EU countries where legislation on civil partnerships (CPs) already exists.
Dr Lucas commented: ?The European Union is committed to its citizens? freedom of movement and to the rights of individuals to live without discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
* Yet the current law has caused difficulties for same-sex couples who have attempted to move between European states, especially when it comes to matters such as inheritance tax.
* We need to establish a Europe-wide consensus on the issue of same-sex partnerships, in which Member States recognise such unions as lawful and deserving of equal rights of movement to those in heterosexual unions.
* This Written Declaration calls for mutual recognition between Member States with existing same-sex partnership legislation, thus eliminating the current confusion.?
She continued: ?Existing human rights law ? including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ? asserts that everyone is born free and equal, and prohibits discrimination and arbitrary interference with privacy, or with family and home life.
* As such, it is the Parliament?s responsibility to ensure that same-sex couples do not experience discrimination and receive the same fair treatment throughout EU countries with CP legislation, allowing them full freedom of movement.?
The Written Declaration will need to be signed by more than half of all MEPs if it is to be accepted as the Parliament?s official position.
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