Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
MEPs want same-sex unions recognised across borders
A political clash is looming between EU member states and the European Parliament over a proposal to have same-sex marriages conducted in one member state recognised in others, even where it is illegal.
A parliamentary committee wants to ensure that "the principle of mutual recognition is applied to same-sex couples in the EU - notably married couples, partners or de facto couples - at least in relation to rights relating to freedom of movement".
Same-sex marriages are only legal in four of the 27 member states, namely the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Sweden.
However, under a resolution passed in the Civil Liberties Committee, marriages between gay or lesbian couples would be recognised by the other member states, even if these do not permit such nuptials.
"This means if a gay couple marries in Sweden but resides in Malta, the Maltese authorities will have to grant these EU citizens the same rights as heterosexual couples," an EP official explained.
This would be an amendment to the Stockholm programme - an EU five-year policy plan in the area of Justice and Home Affairs - which MEPs will vote upon tomorrow in plenary.
The largest group in the EP, the European People's Party (EPP), has opposed this amendment but it was still approved by the committee. It is up to tomorrow's plenary session to decide whether to accept it or not.
Sources yesterday told The Times that the parliament "will most probably approve the resolution".
"Although in reality this will not change the present system where issues related to family law are the sole competence of member states, it will send a political message that the EU is moving towards recognising same-sex marriages, even in countries such as Malta where this is illegal," the official said.
When contacted, Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil, the EPP spokesman for the committee, stressed the EPP group was against this amendment.
"I directed the EPP members in the committee to abstain instead of voting in favour of the resolution on the Stockholm programme," Dr Busuttil said.
"I am completely against this amendment and we are conducting talks with the other political groups to try to find a compromise on this delicate issue.
"Recognition of same-sex marriages conducted in certain member states cannot be imposed on other members where this is illegal. The solution I am proposing is this should only be recognised by those countries that already permit such marriages."
The Times is informed that the Maltese government is closely watching the latest developments on this issue. According to EU treaties, the final word on such a decision is up to member states and not the EP.
If accepted by the Parliament, the amendment as inserted in the Stockholm programme would come before the European Council where still resistance would be likely.
37 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 26th 2009, 06:25
@ Mary Borg - Dear lady, I don't know if you are married or not, nor do I know your age and mentality, but let's be clear about this: sodomy also takes place, and pleasurably, on a marriage bed. So, cut the bull!
Mvella
Nov 26th 2009, 00:17
Ah that's why we signed the pledge then and made an appearance at the pride march... To abstain. How very ludicrous.
Stephen Borg Cardona
Nov 25th 2009, 22:11
I am disappointed to note that the past 22 years of enlightened administration by the PN which brought us into Europe has not resulted in a similarly enlightened and open minded public. It would appear from quite a few of the blogs below that bigotry and hatred are alive and well in Malta . One wonders whether these people had the faintest idea why they voted Yes to Europe, possibly it was just primitive tribal loyalty.
Ms P Graham
Nov 25th 2009, 20:57
I'm sure I will be corrected if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that Dr. Busuttil is an advocate for gay rights, but has never been in favor of Gay marriage. It's that word "marriage" again. George Bush used it too to get what he wanted.
Personally I would take the "rights".
I know many gay couples who would "settle" for the same rights as other couples living together in committed relationships.
It's the discrimination that's wrong.
Mary Borg
Nov 25th 2009, 13:52
Aborting and sodomizing....... the newest peak of European civilization.
GiovDeMartino
Nov 25th 2009, 11:37
Same sex marriage. U ddahquniex izjed!!!!!!!!
Franco Farrugia
Nov 25th 2009, 10:39
@ Henry S Pace: 'Same Sex unions are disordered people for whom we pray for their unnatural way of life. May the Lord God have mercy on us all.'
1. 'Unnatural way of life'? Hmm... You surely must know something about it that I don't! Why not explain it to us?
2. 'Disordered people'? Well, don't go too far, mate! You probably don't know how many 'disordered people' are in charge of you, of your future, political and otherwise, local and International, religious and secular!
3. 'May the Lord God ...' And then, you have the barefacedness to bring your 'God' into all this, after denigrating and insulting your fellow-brothers and sisters!
A. Gauci
Nov 25th 2009, 09:56
Congrats Dr. Busuttil!...
...is this what we need to keep on moving forward?
Same sex couples should have the same rights as hetero couples. 4 out of 27 countries is way to little. This means that there are many gay and lesbian couples who are unhappy out there. These countries, and of course including Malta, need to make same sex marriage legal. But I see that in Malta it will still be treated with certain discrimination since there's the church which practically ruins everything...
John Galea
Nov 25th 2009, 09:53
Marriage has always been the union between a man and a women, every man has a right to marry a women and every women has the right to marry a man in every country through out the world. It is immoral to say that every one has the right to do as he pleases. Sexual intermacy between same sex couples is inferior to love making between heterosexuals. heterosexuals have the power to yield new life through their love for each other. Homosexual acts to not. Its not even sex. Its mutual masturbation or sodomy. How you can say that this is the same thing as congegal intercourse between a man and a women is leaving europe in a very dark place. A culture of death and disease is being promoted!
C.Mercieca
Nov 25th 2009, 08:58
I am shocked to hear arguments by people comparing homesexual couples with people wanting to be in union with their cats or dogs! Are they for real? I don't think the numbers even come close if the latter is true and it does not make sense to compare these two scenarios!
As with regards to the argument children adopted by homosexual couples and the usual "children should be brought up by a Mother and Father"....what about those who have a single parent? are they in the wrong then? What's wrong if a child has two fathers? The problem is: SOCIETY!
r cutajar
Nov 25th 2009, 08:48
NOW that whatever Treaty the bourocrats managed cunningly to get signed by all 27 clubs -the ink hardly dried up - now This
Can many imagine a state occasion really not joking A State occasion where many dignitaries will be arriving thus . er who is the husband of the husband AND who is the wife of the wife ???????Does Any body of You up THERE IN BRUSSELS care that there will be children noticing these Unetural leanings among so many other negative implications
I taught that Laws are a product of NATURAL facts among so many other factors .I have absolutely nothing against anybody ,s sexual inclinations but to overstate such conditions and ride Over what eventually is intrinsically Nature's absolute natural law ,sorry
Perhaps philosophy needs to be a Must subject at all would be MPs AND moreover MEPs
Ramon Casha
Nov 25th 2009, 05:18
How would Dr. Busuttil feel if, whenever he travels abroad, his marriage is rendered void and he and his wife become unmarried?
Moses Mula
Nov 24th 2009, 20:57
You see, Islam and catholic Malta are not that different after all. The Imam just happened to be more extreme in his use of words while Busuttil and the maltese goverment, and the opposition for that matter ,are smarter, as first they offer to have talks with gay and lesbian organizations to win their votes and then when it comes to the real thing like treating them like the rest they just say a " polite " no. Shame on you Busuttil and the rest. Life is so much better in Sweden.
Gerry Cowie
Nov 24th 2009, 20:23
In the UK recently a man and woman wanted to have a civil partnership ceremony instead of a registry office marriage as they want to have equal rights with same sex couples who can have a civil partnership. They were denied this request. They are hoping to take their case to the EU.
CFarrugia
Nov 24th 2009, 19:40
CFarrugia
I see no problem in accepting same sex marriages when they are carried out legally in other countries, what is the problem?why shoudl we object to this? one cannot help being attraced to the same sex instead of the opposite ones and we heterosexuals have no right to negate homosexuals their rights. love and respect for the other partner should be the basis of marriage and not the sexual orientation
Colette Farrugia Bennett
Nov 24th 2009, 18:50
Amazing performance by Simon once again. Thanks for signing the ILGA-Europe pledge and promising to vote in favour of LGBT rights.
Erin Ciantar
Nov 24th 2009, 18:19
Dr. Busuttil should be ashamed of himself.
P Borg
Nov 24th 2009, 18:11
I am gay and I would like my foreign partner to join me in Malta, yet Maltese immigration laws do not permit this.
Why should I be deprived of this right to live with my loved one?
I am not interested in marriage, adopting children or be given special privileges, all I would like is to be free to live with the person I love.
I would like the state to stop depriving me of my basic human rights, to share my life with a person I love, irrespective of his gender.
Ms P Graham
Nov 24th 2009, 17:53
Yet divorces obtained out side Malta are upheld?
Joseph Di Bernardino
Nov 24th 2009, 17:08
The undemocratic EU, which selects, by secret ballot of the EU politburo its new President, and refuses to take the Treaty of Lisbon, its limp excuse for a quasi-constitution, to the public for referendum and democratic debate, largely because every time it has done so it has been voted down (the exception is noted - after Ireland's referendum sent the Treaty of Lisbon packing with its tail between its legs, the EU sharks beat down on Ireland until the right answer was chosen), seeks to force legalized and glorified sodomy on Catholic Europe.
To the PM, and to our Archbishops and the Maltese public - is this the united Europe you believe in and have desired?
With this pressure, the ban on crucifixes, and the pressures for all hospitals in the EU to provide abortions, Malta can legitimately claim a breach of contract by EU. Malta can therefore easily claim a legitimate reason for changing its mind and getting out of the EU. Then, together with the Pope, Czech, Poland, Ireland, and Italy create a new League of Catholic European Nations. Men who choose to sodomize each other have the freedom to so - let's not call it marriage!
adrian aquilina
Nov 24th 2009, 17:02
it is legal in u.k. how was that left out,and other countries and states around the world..whatever your sexual preferance or way of life or married or living together everyone shouild have the exact same rights..we are all equal..it is religion that causes the problems with its unrealistic and divisive views on everything..
Dr Inġ. Patrick Attard
Nov 24th 2009, 16:14
Dr Simon Busuttil with his comments is now clearly breaking his commitment he made by signing the petition of International Lesbian-Gay Association just before the June MEP elections:
See the text of the petition here:
http://patrickattard.blogspot.com/2009/06/ilga-pledge-for-european-elections.html
It will be very interesting to see how Mr David Casa will vote since in an interview with the Times he said that the Prime Minister promised the introduction of gay partnership in Malta in this legislation and that HE voted in favour of this motion.
See the video here: [4:38]:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/mepelections/blogs/david-casa/20090530/video-interview-david-casa
Henry S Pace
Nov 24th 2009, 15:48
Dr Busuttil you have to speak out clearly. If you have catholic beliefs you are to say a flat NO.
Abstention is much worse than anything. MEPs who abstain such a resolution are in the same boat as those who approve the resolution with a difference that in the next step they might say Yes.
Mariage is defined as a man and a woman being united intimately.
Same Sex unions are disordered people for whom we pray for their unnatural way of life.
May the Lord God have mercy on us all.
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 24th 2009, 15:20
This is only the first step towards the imposition of same-sex unions on Malta under the pretext of avoiding discrimination between locals and those who obtain their "marriages" abroad - the same argument being used in favour of legalising divorce to avoid discrimination between those who are rich and can obtain a divorce abroad and those who cannot afford it. No hypocrisy please!
Michael Neville Cassar
Nov 24th 2009, 15:17
If this is accepted in Malta it will open other controversial issues which will turn our society upside down .The word marriage can only be used between a female and a male, all others are partners, it is against all common sense to accept this imposition.
Mark Grech
Nov 24th 2009, 15:07
@ E. Muscat
Your distasteful comments denote serious illogic in your thinking. You agree with the local Iman in equating Same sex marriage to bestiality but then rail against a muslim invasion. Homophobia and xenophobia are closely related within the pantheon of unreasonable and unacceptable prejudice.
It's ironic that certain people find nothing wrong in wanting to preclude LGBT couples from the right to legal recognition of their family structures. A right that is a universal human right, as is increasingly recognised and accepted in various countries of the world, including an increasing number of European nations.
c.caruana
Nov 24th 2009, 13:36
marriage is a right for all, both for couples of the same sex and those of the opposite sex. Everyone must be equal because everyone is human.
Where are the PL meps??
David Seychell
Nov 24th 2009, 12:02
"I am completely against this amendment and we are conducting talks with the other political groups to try to find a compromise on this delicate issue."
Same-sex marriage is a contradiction in itself. Analogically speaking it's like rewarding someone with an "O" level certificate in Maths after successfully passing an Italian language examination. It's tantamount to honouring a lie. Dr. Simon Busuttil, for once, I'm full square behind you.
K. Mifsud
Nov 24th 2009, 12:01
Before the usual anti-EU zealots get their panties in a twist....
This is a resolution---a political 'reccomendation' or 'call for action.'
A resolution will in no way change the law. A change in the law requires approval of both the Eureopan Parliament and the EU Council (i.e. the Member States, including Malta).
This two institution law-making system (the so-called 'co-decision' procedure) exists precisely not to allow the majority in Parliament to ride roughshod over the wishes of Member States.
The fact that this is just a 'resolution,' and not a law (i.e. a 'regulation' or a 'direcitive') is testament to the fact that the system works.
Gianni Xuereb
Nov 24th 2009, 11:49
why shouldn't same sex couples enjoy the same rights Dr. Simon ??? This is sheer discrimination. Imissek tisthi.
m.portelli
Nov 24th 2009, 11:31
Why bother turning up at gay pride marches Dr. Busuttil? Actions speak louder than words. Abstention is the less conspicuous no. What do you propose, mass migration by gay couples to the Netherlands , Sweden, Spain and Beligium? It would surely be those countries gain and our loss as families and as a society. When will you acknowledge that these couples have families who love them and support them. This goes beyond the gay community it affects their families as well.
Eric Gahn
Nov 24th 2009, 10:57
I guess a lot of us who wanted to join the EU was so that we may enjoy greater freedoms. Same-sex marriages is one of them for those who need it. What's wrong with that?
Off course Simon Busutill will try to compromise. God forbid sinners are allowed in Catholic Malta lest we get a deluge going against us and we all know that the Gozo Ferries are no Noah's Ark.
E.Muscat
Nov 24th 2009, 10:56
So now the 'progressive' EU is trying to introduce same sex 'union' underhandedly from the 4 to the 27countries.In the end,say in 30 years time, we will have 'unions' with cats and dogs as recently suggested.The abortion rate in the EU is more than one million and a half a year and this is what should bother the EU while the arab muslim countries are exploding with kids.Europa addio?
Joseph Cauchi
Nov 24th 2009, 10:24
I was just wondering; will this above legislation be acceptable under SHARIA law?
JC.
Joseph Cauchi
Nov 24th 2009, 10:21
Marriage is the wrong word. Marriage is between a man and a woman.
If a man and a man or for that matter, a woman and a woman want to live and co-habit together and be legally binding and enjoying most of the civil rights that married couples do, then why not?
But this has to be under a “CIVIL RECOGNITION” and absolutely NOT “Marriage”!
However, I do not agree that such civil recognitions should entail the right of adoptions.
Adopted children should be in a family, and a family is formed by a “Father” AND a “Mother” only!
JC.
c.caruana
Nov 24th 2009, 10:03
We love EU for this!!! Dr.Busuttil come home and stop being so conservative!! WE WANT CHANGE!!
victor caruana
Nov 24th 2009, 09:59
"I directed the EPP members in the committee TO ABSTAIN instead of voting in favour of the resolution on the Stockholm programme," Dr Busuttil said.
HOI!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN ABSTAIN? wHY NOT VOTED AGAINST? ARE YOU AGAINST THE RESOLUTION OR WHAT?.