The bill to introduce civil unions had been finalised and will be moved in Parliament in September, Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli said.

Addressing a press conference about the work carried out by her ministry  in the first 100 days in government, Dr Dalli noted that the debate in committee stage on legal amendments to the Civil Law would grant those who undergo gender reassignment surgery the right to marry will start on Monday.

The amendments will clear the way for Joanne Cassar – who underwent gender reassignment surgery to become a woman – to withdraw her case against the Government that is pending before the European Court of Human Rights.

The case is currently suspended. A settlement of €10,000 has been paid to Ms Cassar.

Dr Dalli said that the Gender Identity draft law, presented by the PL as a Private Members Bill two years ago, was being worked upon and might be passed through Parliament by the end of this year.

Ms Dalli also spoke about Government’s commitment to separate State from Church marriages, to bring down the voting age to 16 and introducing sexual orientation as part of the description of discrimination in the Constitution.

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