Subject: Text of Marriage Resolutions passed in Dutch parliament 4/16/96 Date: Sun, 21 Apr 1996 17:05:31 +0200 From: Hein Verkerk Herewith I forward the full text of the two resolutions past in Dutch Parliaments Second Chamer on April 16, Ihe ongoing debates and speculations on what exactly happend they might clarify some aspects. They will are on line on Dutch Queer Resources Directory in the Politics chapter) http://www.xs4all.nl/~heinv/dqrd/politics.html In the mean time it should be stated that Parliament agreed to government proposals to have legislation on registration of same sex couples anyway. But the Parliament wants to go further. It is not clear yet if and how the Dutch government will follow up the lift of the ban on same sex marriages. Translation of the resolutions adopted by the Second Chamber of Dutch Parliament with regards to lifting the ban on mar- riages of persons of the same sex. (official document: Handelingen van de Tweede Kamer. 1995-1996 22700 nr 9) Resolution of lifting the ban on marriage of persons of the same sex. adopted with a 81 over 60 majority (total numer of members of the Second Chamber= 150) Motion moved by the members M.van der Burg(PvdA) and B.Dittrich (D66). The Chamber, heard the debate, noticing that frequently in our society two persons of either sex and persons of the same sex want to engage in a enduring relationship, sharing their common destinies; furthermore noticing that contracting a civil marriage by two persons of the same sex, according to the Civil Code is not allowed ; is of the opinion that in line with the General Law on Equal Treatment, there is no objective justification for the ban on marriage of couples of the same sex; states that the legal ban on marriage for two persons of the same sex is lifted; requests that the government as soon as possible is starting the preparation of legislation in this respect, also taking into consideration the international aspects, notably in the European context. and requests that the government, given the broad context of the above mentioned activities also nominates a committee composed of non-governmental experts, representing the various relevant branches of knowledge and to instruct this committee to wind up a draft legislation in this matter not later than August 1st 1997. and resumes the work of the day; Resolution on adoption (official document: Handelingen van de Tweede Kamer. 1995-1996 22700 nr 10) Motion moved by M.van der Burg (PvdA), seconded by Mr. Boris Dittrich) (adopted by a 83 over 58 majority) The Chamber, heard the debate, noticing that there is unclarity on the readiness abroad to consider the eligibility for adoption, by singles and same sex couples; is of the opinion that if agreements are reached with any country on a broader adoption policy, these are not to be blocked by the provisions in the Law on adoption of foreign foster children; requests from the government to trying to get a clear view c.q. keeping an insight of the position of (respective organ- izations in) adoption countries with regards to adoption by a single parent and by homosexual relationships, in order to be able to have an estimate, also in the future, of the possibil- ities for adoption and also requests to make an inventory of whether and if so, which pros and cons there are in adoption by a single parent and by homosexual couples, in order eventually based on these data, to adapt the Law on adoption of foreign foster children. and resumes the work of the day > ======================================== Hein Verkerk |tel ++ 31 20 6816832 |http://www.xs4all.nl/~heinv van Bossestraat 86 '|fax++ 31 20 6846860 |The Ultimate Gaylinks ! 1051 KC Amsterdam |e mail heinv@xs4all.nl|Dutch Queer Directory