Slovakia set for referendum on same-sex marriage ban

BBC News

Slovakia is due to hold a referendum on restrictions on gay rights and the adoption of children by same-sex couples.

Voters will be asked three questions, including whether marriage can only be a union between a man and a woman.

Conservative campaigners forced the referendum after a constitutional ban on gay marriage was enacted last year.

Earlier this week Amnesty International said the vote would "pander to homophobic discrimination".

If Saturday's referendum were to enforce the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, it would be harder to overturn in the future, Amnesty added.

'Defence of the family'

Observers say the vote in the predominantly Catholic country is part of a pushback against what conservatives see as overly liberal policies spreading eastwards from western Europe.

Croatia held a similar referendum in 2013 while in neighbouring Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has championed traditional family values.

EU rules allow each of the bloc's 28 members to make their own decisions on issues like marriage and adoption.

Alliance For Family volunteers have been distributing leaflets calling for people to participate in the referendum

As well as the question on marriage, Saturday's referendum asks whether same-sex couples should be banned from adoptions, and whether children can skip classes involving education on sex and euthanasia.

To be legally binding, the turnout in the ballot must be more than 50%.

The referendum has gained support from the Catholic Church, in a country where where more than 60% of residents say they are Catholic.

Pope Francis gave the referendum his blessing in an address on St Peter's Square on Wednesday, saying: "I wish to express my appreciation to the entire Slovak Church, encouraging everyone to continue their efforts in defence of the family, the vital cell of society."

The Alliance for Family, a conservative group, forced the vote by gathering more than 400,000 signatures in a petition.

"The referendum isn't against same-sex couples, it's for children," spokesman Anton Chromik told AFP news agency.

"The European Parliament and some EU member states have passed laws that undermine the unique nature of marriage, families and children's rights. We're worried about parents losing the freedom to raise their kids according to their beliefs."

But human rights group have condemned the move as an attempt to force religion on to others.

"This referendum could lead to a significant step back for Slovakia," said Amnesty International's Barbora Cernusakova.