Costa Rica government bans the same sex marriage, sparked a controversy

News24xx.com - Constitution in Costa Rica which prohibits same-sex marriage is rejected by the Court because it is contrary to the constitution. Parliament was given 18 months to make a new law. In a decision praised by LGBT supporters and criticized by the church, Costa Rica Supreme Court stated that laws prohibiting same-sex marriage were contrary to its constitution.

In its decision Wednesday night, August 8th 2018, Court stated that the law was discriminatory and had to be changed immediately. Judge Fernando Castillo told reporters the ban was inconsistent with opinions issued in January by the Inter-American Human Rights Court, which said homosexual couples must have the same rights to marry as heterosexual couples.

The Supreme Court gave Costa Rican lawmakers 18 months to revoke the law and implement new rules. If they fail to meet the deadline, same-sex marriage will automatically become legal.

Costa Rican President, Carlos Alvarado welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court. "We will continue to carry out policies that ensure that no one will face discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that state protection is given to all families in the same conditions" he wrote on Twitter.

But Enrique Sanchez, a member of the country's first gay parliament, said he expected parliament would not be able to agree on new laws in the near future. "What I see will happen is that the rule will eventually be declared unconstitutional within 18 months" Sanchez said.

Court decisions were criticized by politicians from the church. Lawmaker Jonathan Prendas said that the decision "put a gun into our heads" to change the law.

Costa Rica, which has a strong Catholic tradition, over the past few decades has also experienced the rise of evangelical churches. At present, evangelical MPs fill 14 of the 57 seats in the House of Representatives. Similar marriages became a highly debated issue during Costa Rica's presidential election last April.

 

 

 

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