(Strasbourg) Today with a round of votes from the floor, the European Parliament endorsed the recognition of parenthood all over the EU, “irrespective of how the child was conceived, born or the type of family it has.”. With 366 votes against 145 and 23 abstentions, the MEPs endorsed the bill of law on the recognition of decisions and acceptance of public deeds about parenthood. “The aim – a notice explains – is to ensure that, when parenthood is established by an EU country, the rest of the member states will recognise it. The aim is to make sure that children enjoy the same rights under national law regarding education, healthcare, custody or succession”. Under the law passed by the MEPs, when it comes to establishing parenthood on a national level, the EU countries “may continue to decide whether to accept specific situations, e.g. surrogacy, but they will be required to recognise parenthood established by another EU country irrespective of how the child was conceived, born or the type of family it has”. The member states would have the option not to recognise parenthood “if manifestly incompatible with their public policy, although this will only be possible in strictly defined cases”. Every situation will have to be considered on a case-by-case basis to make sure no discriminations are made, for instance, against children of same-sex parents.
The MEPs endorsed the enforcement of the “European Parenthood certificate”, aimed at “reducing red tape and facilitating recognition of parenthood in the EU”. Though it does not replace national documents, it may be used in their stead and will be accessible in all EU languages and in electronic format.
Now, having consulted Parliament, the EU governments will have to reach unanimous agreement on the final draft of the rules.