ITALY IS AGAIN THE LAUGHING STOCK OF EUROPE
08/09/2010
Submitted by
Arcigay International
Press Release
ITALY IS AGAIN THE LAUGHING STOCK OF EUROPE
On September 7 at the European Parliament, during the debate on freedom of movement within the European Community and the rights of same-sex couples, Italy has once again proved itself the laughing stock of Europe on civil rights. The MEPs of PDL (People of Freedom Party) and Northern League have again distinguished themselves in negative over the topic of freedom of movement and discrimination against married/registered same-sex couples, on which the European Commission itself had already issued a resolution in 2004, calling on member states to facilitate this right.
Italy had been called to guarantee the rights of same-sex couples, who legally married or joined in a registered partnership abroad and then move to Italy or travel there for short periods of time. These couples are in a condition of objective discrimination because of the restrictions to their freedom of movement rights and lack of automatic recognition of civil status.
The majority of MEPs that have spoken during the debate, including the European Commissioner Vivian Reding, reiterated the request of a major involvement of the Commission in monitoring the resolution implementation. Only four speeches were recorded against: a Polish MEP of ECR (European Conservative) and three Italian MEPs from the governing center-right coalition: PDL (People of Freedom Party) and Northern League.
In particular, MEP Oreste Rossi (Northern League) left the European Parliament stunned with a theological speech on natural family, which was so poor of arguments and so full of anger against same-sex couples that remembered the speeches of the most homophobic religious leaders.
At the end of the debate, Commissioner Reading has confirmed that the European Commission will undertake to verify that the resolution on freedom of movement is properly applied in all states of the EU and that the implementation is not missing out the rights of same-sex couples.
Arcigay welcomes the Commission's audit and will submit a detailed dossier on the obvious failings of the Italian government in implementing the resolution.
Arcigay International
ITALY IS AGAIN THE LAUGHING STOCK OF EUROPE
On September 7 at the European Parliament, during the debate on freedom of movement within the European Community and the rights of same-sex couples, Italy has once again proved itself the laughing stock of Europe on civil rights. The MEPs of PDL (People of Freedom Party) and Northern League have again distinguished themselves in negative over the topic of freedom of movement and discrimination against married/registered same-sex couples, on which the European Commission itself had already issued a resolution in 2004, calling on member states to facilitate this right.
Italy had been called to guarantee the rights of same-sex couples, who legally married or joined in a registered partnership abroad and then move to Italy or travel there for short periods of time. These couples are in a condition of objective discrimination because of the restrictions to their freedom of movement rights and lack of automatic recognition of civil status.
The majority of MEPs that have spoken during the debate, including the European Commissioner Vivian Reding, reiterated the request of a major involvement of the Commission in monitoring the resolution implementation. Only four speeches were recorded against: a Polish MEP of ECR (European Conservative) and three Italian MEPs from the governing center-right coalition: PDL (People of Freedom Party) and Northern League.
In particular, MEP Oreste Rossi (Northern League) left the European Parliament stunned with a theological speech on natural family, which was so poor of arguments and so full of anger against same-sex couples that remembered the speeches of the most homophobic religious leaders.
At the end of the debate, Commissioner Reading has confirmed that the European Commission will undertake to verify that the resolution on freedom of movement is properly applied in all states of the EU and that the implementation is not missing out the rights of same-sex couples.
Arcigay welcomes the Commission's audit and will submit a detailed dossier on the obvious failings of the Italian government in implementing the resolution.
Arcigay International
