National
On 01 July 2006, the registered partnership law took effect [R1.1].
The Czech Republic is the first country in the region to allow same-sex civil unions.
Registered same-sex couples receive inheritance and health care rights comparitive to those of heterosexual couples [R1.2]
Previously:
In March 2006, the Lower House passed a Bill which later was passed by the Senate, creating a domestic partnership registry and extending to same-sex couples most of the same rights as married couples [R1.3] . The Czech president vetoed the measure however, the Lower House overruled the veto [R1.3].
In October 2001, the lower chamber of the Czech parliament rejected a draft law that would grant certain legal rights to gays and lesbians, returning it to the government for revision [R1.4].
Partnership bills failed three times in Parliament, in 1998, 1999 and in 2001 [R1.5].
In September 2001, the Czech Republic cabinet approved and sent to parliament legislation to legalise homosexual partnerships [R1.6].
In September 2001, there was strong opposition from Czech catholics however a recent poll found 41% of Czechs supported legal recognition of gay couples and 33% opposed it [R1.7].
In December 2000, a Justice Ministry draft proposal for recognition of gay and lesbian couples had the approval of Czech activists [R1.8].
In May 2000, Government Human Rights Commissioner Petr Uhl repeated a call for a new bill to legalize "registered partnerships" for same-sex couples. The ruling Social Democratic Party (CSSD) appeared to a domestic partnership law, however the conservative Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) - strongly oppose it [R1.9].
In December 1999, Czech MPs rejected a legislative bill on homosexual couples which was hotly disputed between supporters of equal rights and critics who said it would erode family values [R1.10].
In March 1999, the Chamber of Deputies agreed in principle to pass the draft bill proposing legal rights for registered homosexual couples, clearing its second legislative hurdle [R1.11].
In May 1998, the parliament of the Czech Republic has voted down a gay registered partnership scheme by only two votes [R1.12]. |
