History of same-sex partnership legislation in the Czech Republic
22/12/2005
Submitted by
Gay and Lesbian League
In 1992/3, the Cabinet drafted a set of amendments to the Civil Code. The articles on same-sex relationships were rejected.
In 1995, two Civic Democratic Party deputies presented a same-sex partnership Bill (only containing inheritance rights and the right to the common use of rented flat). Its discussion was postponed several times and eventually never took place due to general elections.
In 1997, a comprehensive Bill was presented by deputies of the Communist Party, Social Democratic Party and Civic Democratic Party. The Bill was based on the family law, while explicitly excluding the possibility of common upbringing and adoption of children. The Cabinet assumed a negative position and, after an extensive first reading, the Chamber of Deputies turned the Bill down.
In 1999, another, more elaborate Bill was presented by the representatives of all parliamentary political parties less the Christian Democrats. The Cabinet supported the Bill but the Chamber of Deputies dismissed it in the second reading.
In 2000, following the initiative of the Government‘s Human Rights Council, the Ministry of Justice drafted a very thorough and detailed Cabinet Bill. The Chamber of Deputies unexpectedly rejected it straight in first reading. It returned to the Cabinet for revision, which never materialised as it was interrupted by the 2002 general elections.
In 2003, the Ministry of Justice drafted a new Bill. It was never discussed by the Cabinet and Prime Minister Spidla proposed for the bill to be presented as a Deputies’ initiative.
In spring 2004, representatives of all parliamentary political parties less the Christian Democrats drafted a new Bill, based on the Ministry of Justice proposal, taking into account the comments by Gay a lesbická liga. The Cabinet did not express its positive view. The Bill passed through the first two readings in the Chamber of Deputies. It was turned down in the third reading in February 2005 by one vote.
Another bill, almost identical to the previous, was presented to the Chamber in September 2005. It passed in the Chamber of Deputies on 16 December 2005. The Senate is obliged to discuss it within 30 days. If it is turned down, it shall return to the Chamber of Deputies, which needs to approve it by 50+ percent majority. In case of approval, the Bill needs to be signed by the President of the country. Then it enters into force.
In 1995, two Civic Democratic Party deputies presented a same-sex partnership Bill (only containing inheritance rights and the right to the common use of rented flat). Its discussion was postponed several times and eventually never took place due to general elections.
In 1997, a comprehensive Bill was presented by deputies of the Communist Party, Social Democratic Party and Civic Democratic Party. The Bill was based on the family law, while explicitly excluding the possibility of common upbringing and adoption of children. The Cabinet assumed a negative position and, after an extensive first reading, the Chamber of Deputies turned the Bill down.
In 1999, another, more elaborate Bill was presented by the representatives of all parliamentary political parties less the Christian Democrats. The Cabinet supported the Bill but the Chamber of Deputies dismissed it in the second reading.
In 2000, following the initiative of the Government‘s Human Rights Council, the Ministry of Justice drafted a very thorough and detailed Cabinet Bill. The Chamber of Deputies unexpectedly rejected it straight in first reading. It returned to the Cabinet for revision, which never materialised as it was interrupted by the 2002 general elections.
In 2003, the Ministry of Justice drafted a new Bill. It was never discussed by the Cabinet and Prime Minister Spidla proposed for the bill to be presented as a Deputies’ initiative.
In spring 2004, representatives of all parliamentary political parties less the Christian Democrats drafted a new Bill, based on the Ministry of Justice proposal, taking into account the comments by Gay a lesbická liga. The Cabinet did not express its positive view. The Bill passed through the first two readings in the Chamber of Deputies. It was turned down in the third reading in February 2005 by one vote.
Another bill, almost identical to the previous, was presented to the Chamber in September 2005. It passed in the Chamber of Deputies on 16 December 2005. The Senate is obliged to discuss it within 30 days. If it is turned down, it shall return to the Chamber of Deputies, which needs to approve it by 50+ percent majority. In case of approval, the Bill needs to be signed by the President of the country. Then it enters into force.
