European Parliament votes in favour of report declaring marriage equality a human right

The European Parliament has voted to declare same-sex marriage a fundamental human right.

The resolution put forward was passed by a majority vote of 472 to 115, while a number of UKIP and Conservative Members of European Parliament either abstained or voted against.

The resolution reads: “The European Parliament takes note of the legalisation of same-sex marriage or same-sex civil unions in an increasing number of countries – 17 to date – around the world; encourages the EU institutions and the Member States to further contribute to reflection on the recognition of same-sex marriage or same-sex civil union as a political, social and human and civil rights issue.”

The report said that it is “regrettable” that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is currently considering “a bill constitutionally banning same-sex marriage”, explaining that “such developments contribute to a climate of homophobia and discrimination”.

The Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe expressed disappointment, complaining that the resolution “threatens the right of children to have a father and a mother”, adding that the needs of children “should be respected” and should not “be neglected in favour of adults’ desires”.

The document, which is known as the Panzeri Report, also called on the European Union to “recognize the inalienable rights of women and girls” to “safe and legal abortion”.

Last week, Slovenia has become the first central European country to legalise same-sex marriage, becoming the 21st country in the world to do so.

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