Akis Skertsos: Societies progress and prosper with equity and equality

The role of politics and the work of politicians and Liberal democracy To change people's lives for the better. All citizens. Without discrimination and segregation on grounds of sex, nationality, social class, education, political beliefs, physical ability, religion and Sexual orientation.

This is what the draft law “Equality in civil marriage” is discussing in the competent committees of the parliament from today, and if it is approved next week, it will extend the possibility to conclude civil marriages with same-sex couples. Equality with same-sex couples and legal protection of their children.

Our government has not reinvented the wheel. It does not try to impose a new standard of family life, but regulates the existing social reality, which is already legal in the majority of EU member states. In fact we have done nothing, nothing more than they have done since its inception. 2000 to date 15 EU countries, 20 in Europe and 36 worldwide. In other words, we ensure the equality of all citizens. We do not take away or affect the rights of many. We recognize the rights of some, and we care – as we must – for the safety of children in the families that life has shaped.

We do not invent situations, but recognize existing ones and create organizational structures that regulate them.

Children growing up with two same-sex parents today lose the legal recognition of their parents, unless they are recognized by a cohabitation agreement, or certainly not recognized by the state. This is unfair because the state deprives a parent if they need immediate help at school, have an accident, enter the hospital, or worse, lose a legally recognized parent. It deprives the illegitimate parent of inheritance rights and the right to contact or care for the parent in case of separation. Therefore this provision primarily serves the welfare and rights of children who are not currently treated equally with other children.

In other words, apart from the express provision that “marriage is concluded between persons of different or same sex”, we have not brought any essential intervention. Civil Code. We are of course talking about a civil marriage, not a religious one. There is no change in the rules of adoption – I remind you that since 1946 it has been allowed to a woman or a single man, regardless of sexual orientation. The framework of medically assisted reproduction in our country since 2002 applies only to women in marriage or out of wedlock who are proven to be unable to conceive. Legal terms such as mother, mother, father were not changed, nor were new ones introduced such as parent 1/ parent 2. The bill and the government do not interfere in this. Human Biology. There are two genders and that doesn't change.

In addition, with the aim of legally protecting the rights of two same-sex spouses and children born abroad, the draft law recognizes both marriage in Greece and the relationship with their parent or parents. Official public documents or court decisions. After all, it is absurd to marry or become a parent and be recognized as a parent outside the borders and lose this status when crossing the Greek border. We are parents everywhere. If both spouses so wish, we also offer the possibility to convert an agreement concluded in our country into a civil marriage.

This provision is in line with the Greek Constitution, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

All of the above obviously does not in any way affect the classic – nuclear – form of the family. She dominates. But monogamy is not the only form of family. We must not forget that there are single-parent families who deserve and receive recognition and protection.

The bill, by carefully regulating these cases, puts an end to the current contradiction where members of a family living and recognized abroad are considered strangers or legally invisible to each other upon their arrival in Greece. In some ironic and unfair cases, children of Greeks cannot obtain Greek citizenship!

Necessary interventions are made to strengthen equal access to labor legal rights and protection against discrimination, extending the principle of equal treatment to the areas of social protection, education and access to services.

Why are minorities a problem now, many ask? Aren't there more serious issues for the government to deal with?

In fact, this is not the most important priority of Greek society today, because it concerns a small part of the minority that is actually a minority. However, do we not have a duty as politicians and politicians – from a legal, moral and political perspective – to work simultaneously for all citizens, the many and the few? Constant care and sensitivity to the most “invisible” and marginalized fellow citizens. If we only draw on the logic of the priorities of the majority, then we should not give priority to the problems of other minority groups in the society, the disabled, abused women, those who live in critical areas of our country.

However, caring for minorities shows the superiority, democracy and culture of modern liberal democracies, including with pride. Hellas. The Democracy Created to extend the hand of liberty, equality and security to all citizens without distinction. Fingers should not be pointed at certain groups that some people mistakenly believe are second-class citizens.

Former President of the European Court of Human Rights Mr. The above regulations have already been proposed in the context of the National Strategy for LGBTI Equality in 2021 by a special committee appointed by the Prime Minister, chaired by Lino Alexandros Siciliano. They were a programmatic commitment by the Prime Minister and part of the ND plan which received a strong mandate for implementation by June 2023. And for a government that has said it wants to bring Greece closer and closer to the rest of Europe, creating an area of ​​individual freedoms and rights for them. Greeks are Europeans Citizens, I think it is a personal duty to do this reform.

After all, social and individual rights are fundamental and take precedence over any other. Otherwise, we should have first achieved economic prosperity for all citizens before recognizing women's right to vote after World War II. An inclusive democracy is a more fertile ground for a stronger economy, a more integrated society and ultimately a stronger homeland.

Democracy certainly means different ideas. All comments and concerns were heard in the extensive dialogue that took place before the Bill was tabled. Homogeneous issues do not enter the Procrustean bed and their different approach is respected from some parts of society and from the church.

We fully respect the right of the Greek Orthodox Church to freely express and practice theological views. Above all, the theological doctrine must be strict and absolute in its moral precepts, while recognizing that all people are imperfect human beings who come closer to God as they live with love, respect, and unity toward others.

I personally respect and recognize the social mission and spiritual role of our church. However, the organized state has its own expanded role, but the duty to protect constitutional mandates and values ​​and to impose what is necessary as a rule of European law.

New Democracy is the responsible party, it kept Greece in Europe, it kept Greece in Europe and makes it more European. It is the most politically united faction since the post-colonial era. This happens because it is a mirror of Greek society. Opposing views exist on the part of ND administrators in the Greek community. In addition, we see differences of opinion on the issue of marriage equality in other parties that claim to be in favor of the rights. Therefore, progressive finger-wagging at the administrators of the new democracy who have differing stances, doubts and concerns on this issue is unacceptable.

The multi-dimensional modernization we serve does not only have a narrow economic aspect around raising incomes. There are internationally powerful economies that do not prioritize individual liberties and are therefore not exemplary countries in which to live. Therefore, improving the quality of life of the citizens is very important and a top priority. But the country's GDP is increasing but its citizens cannot live as freely as they want and choose other countries to build their lives as they dream?

For us, a strong nation is a nation with open arms and multifaceted concern for all social groups, without discrimination. As a parent, as a human being, I have no convincing arguments to say why the Greek state does not recognize the same rights that my child, his friends, my relatives and friends with this sexual orientation would have today. As European citizens we are members of most countries of the European Union.

We must think and act collectively for a society with greater equality, autonomy and solidarity. We are bound by our legal culture and tradition of liberal democracy to recognize equal living conditions for same-sex couples.

If this bill is now passed with a relatively wide parliamentary majority, Greek society will take a major historic step towards a fair and inclusive democracy. After all, the common good is not built by divisions, but rather by the recognition of many different rights, without the social majority imposing on minorities or groups of people how they should live. It is against the dignity of human being and the basic tenets of liberal democracy.