Members of the European Parliament have reacted to recent developments in national laws affecting transgender people. On 16 March 2011, the new Law establishing procedures for change of name and sex in the civil register came into force in Portugal. The new law does not require divorce, sterilisation, hormonal treatment or surgery to officially change gender, although a medical diagnosis will remain necessary.
Rui Tavares, MEP from Portugal and Vice‑President of the LGBT Intergroup, said: “I am proud that colleagues in Lisbon ended the legal uncertainty surrounding gender reassignment procedures. Portugal keeps leading the way as a progressive country for LGBT people in Europe, and transgender citizens can now benefit from one of the most progressive laws in the world.”
In contrast, on 8 March 2011 Members of Parliament in Lithuania tabled a proposal to outlaw gender reassignment surgery. The bill proposed by Antanas Matulas MP, Chairman of the Committee on Health Affairs, would prohibit doctors and surgeons from performing gender reassignment operations. This would constitute an insurmountable obstacle for transgender persons in the country.
Raül Romeva i Rueda MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup, reacted: “Some Lithuanian Members of Parliament make it sound as if they are under siege by transgender people, when all they need is accessing essential healthcare to protect their human dignity. How the European Union can intervene is currently unclear, but we will use of our mandate to the greatest possible extent to stop this ban from becoming law.”
The LGBT Intergroup will continue monitoring developments in Lithuania regarding gender reassignment procedures, legal recognition of transgender people’s identities, and freedom of expression.
Showing posts with label LGBT Intergroup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LGBT Intergroup. Show all posts
25 Mar 2011
European Commission proposes property rights for all couples
BRUSSELS, 17 March 2011 — The European Commission has published proposals for the introduction of new EU regulations which would simplify property rights procedures for international couples.
The proposed rules will facilitate legal and administrative procedures in the field of property rights (real estate, banking, other possessions) for all international couples, whether they are married or in a civil partnership.
The proposed legislation comprises of one regulation for marriages, and one regulation for civil partnerships.
The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament will now need to examine the two proposals.
Michael Cashman MEP, Co-President of the Intergroup on LGBT Rights, met with the European Commission to ensure that the proposals will not lead to different rights for same-sex or different-sex couples. He commented:
“I welcome Viviane Reding’s proposals, which will make life easier for millions of international couples—including same-sex couples. Parliament and Council must now work on these two texts together, and consider the civil partnership regulation exactly the same as the marriage regulation. Proposing a single text would have sent a better signal, but these two proposals remain inextricably linked.”
Sophie in’t Veld MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup, added:
“It’s crucial that the European area of freedom, security and justice be up and running as soon as feasible, and these proposals go in the right direction. Council and Parliament must now follow the Commission’s lead by making no difference between same- and different-sex couples, in
full respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. We will make sure these regulations bring about equality, both in the letter and in the spirit of the law.”
The proposed rules will facilitate legal and administrative procedures in the field of property rights (real estate, banking, other possessions) for all international couples, whether they are married or in a civil partnership.
The proposed legislation comprises of one regulation for marriages, and one regulation for civil partnerships.
The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament will now need to examine the two proposals.
Michael Cashman MEP, Co-President of the Intergroup on LGBT Rights, met with the European Commission to ensure that the proposals will not lead to different rights for same-sex or different-sex couples. He commented:
“I welcome Viviane Reding’s proposals, which will make life easier for millions of international couples—including same-sex couples. Parliament and Council must now work on these two texts together, and consider the civil partnership regulation exactly the same as the marriage regulation. Proposing a single text would have sent a better signal, but these two proposals remain inextricably linked.”
Sophie in’t Veld MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup, added:
“It’s crucial that the European area of freedom, security and justice be up and running as soon as feasible, and these proposals go in the right direction. Council and Parliament must now follow the Commission’s lead by making no difference between same- and different-sex couples, in
full respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. We will make sure these regulations bring about equality, both in the letter and in the spirit of the law.”
This initiative is part of the 2009-2014 Stockholm Programme for a European Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.
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