Citizen Online
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
PARLIAMENT - The National Council of Provinces passed the controversial Civil Union Bill on Tuesday, paving the way for President Thabo Mbeki to sign the measure into law.
The legislation, intended to afford gay and lesbians couples the same legal status as married heterosexuals, has drawn fierce criticism from opposition parties as well as religious groups.
"By approving this legislation, this house is at odds with the wishes of a majority of South Africans who have overwhelmingly rejected it," said Inkatha Freedom Party MP Jeanette Vilakazi.
The measure -- approved in the National Assembly last week -- was opposed by most opposition parties, while the Democratic Alliance allowed its members a free vote on the issue.
Religious groups had called for both houses of Parliament to either consider revising the measure or scrapping it altogether.
With their pleas having been ignored, their only hope now lies with Mbeki.
He has to sign the legislation for it to become law.
It now remains to be seen if he will approve the bill, particularly given that submissions made during extensive public hearings indicated overwhelming public discontent over the proposed law.
Parliament has been working to meet a Constitutional Court deadline of December 1 to correct what it ruled in December last year was an unconstitutional definition of marriage in legislation. - Sapa