Media release of European Parliament's Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup of
Latvia is moving backwards
Last Thursday, the 1st of December, the Latvian Parliament passed an amendment to the Constitution that explicitly excludes same sex marriage. Only 3 MPs voted against the amendment. The officers of the European Parliament Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup express their serious concern about the increase of homophobia in Latvia."
Latvia is clearly moving backwards compared to the majority of European States. The European Parliament has to raise its voice against the right-wing and homophobic elements in European politics who would like to re-impose their backward and homophobic values on the rest of society." said Sophie in't Veld, vice-president of the Intergroup. Â
The amendment was proposed earlier this year by the First Party of Latvia as a result of their homophobic campaign during and after the first LGBT Pride March in Riga. The constitutional amendment needs to pass three readings in the parliament to be adopted. In the first reading, 65 of the 100 members supported the amendment, 5 MPs voted against and 20 abstained. Yesterday, at the second reading, 73 Latvian MPs voted to support the constitutional amendment, only 3 MPs votes against, while 12 MPs abstained and 2 MPs did not vote. It looks like Latvia soon will have a constitution which explicitly prevents same-sex marriage.
“Despite the fact that Latvia is now a member of the EU, this constitutional ban of same-sex marriages is just one example of many of homophobia in the country", said Michael Cashman, president of the Intergroup. He added “all member states must conform to EU law including laws which protect citizens' Fundamental Rights and freedoms. The Intergroup will do all it can to ensure that the EU law is respected and urge the Commission to act when violations occur."
ENDS
For further information please contact Juris Lavrikovs on tel.: ß2 609 54 16 or juris@ilga-europe.org
