Recognition of Same-sex Unions in Croatia - History

History

In 2003, one year after the first gay pride in Croatia, then ruling coalition consisted of mostly centre-left parties, has managed to agree and passed a law on same-sex unions. The law granted same-sex partners who have been cohabiting for at least 3 years similar rights as enjoyed by unmarried cohabiting opposite-sex partners in terms of inheritance and financial support, but not right to adopt or any other right included in family law as this law was not part of it, but rather separate law has been created. Registering those relationship was not allowed nor they include rights in terms of tax, joint properties, health insurance, pensions etc.

In early 2005 Croatian Parliament rejected registered partnerships proposed by Šime Lučin (SDP) and independent Ivo Banac. MP Lucija Čikeš, a member of then ruling HDZ, called for the proposal to be dropped because "all universe is heterosexual, from an atom and the smallest particle, from a fly to an elephant". Another HDZ MP objected on grounds "85% of the population considers itself Catholic and the Church is against heterosexual and homosexual equality". Medical profession, physical profession, and media did not support these statements, warning that all the members of Parliament have duty to vote according to the Constitution which bans discrimination.

On 11 May 2012, Croatian prime minister Zoran Milanović announced further expansion of rights for same-sex relationships with the equivalent rights and responsibilities to those of marriage, apart from adoption. Joint adoption will not be allowed, but he said that step-child adoption will be considered. At this point it is not known which of the well-known terms such as civil union or registered partnership will be used, but it is certain that Croatian family law will not be modified for this purpose, but rather new law dealing with this issue will be introduced, thus implying that term marriage will not be used. Aside from ruling centre-left coalition support for this law is also announced from the Labour party.

On International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia platforms dealing with LGBT rights have met Minister of Administration Arsen Bauk where he has announced further changes in existing laws that will expand LGBT rights, plus new law regulating same-sex partnerships. Name of the law at his point was still unknown, but one of the proposed ones was Life Partnership act. Minister also said that he strongly believes in equality, and that no politician should make compromises about it, referring to several statements of politicians who support full equality, but are willing to make concessions because society might not be ready for certain changes. Marko Jurčić from Zagreb Pride said that they dislike the idea of this partnership to be called "same-sex" and prefer term "life partnership", open to all genders. Ministry of Administration and the working group responsible for creating a law have met for the first time on 6 September 2012, with expectations for the law to be presented before the Parliament in the first quarter of 2013. On 16 November 2012, president of the working group Jagoda Botički confirmed that same-sex couples would be able to register their relationships at register offices, same as heterosexual couples, but the law would not include heterosexual couples. She said that the group was in the process of creating a list of rights with the help from several government ministries. LGBT associations Iskorak and Kontra expressed their satisfaction with the fact that registration at register offices will be possible, but at the same time have expressed disappointment with same-sex couples being excluded from the family law, thus making it possible for the law to include less rights than expected as a result of political trade and concessions. This would especially affect same-sex families with children, as it is the most controversial area for the opponents of the law.