UKRAINE, Apr. 28 — Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament — ed.) adopted the revised draft of the new Civil Code (bill #15150) as a basis in the first reading. The new version removes the provision that would have allowed marriage at age 14.

254 lawmakers supported the bill. It was introduced as an alternative to the previous bill (#14394), which caused a wave of criticism from the public, lawyers, and some lawmakers. In a joint statement, Ukrainian civil society organizations argued that the bill undermines the requirements for EU accession.

Inna Sovsun, a Member of Parliament from “Holos,” a liberal opposition party, said that the revised version retains the term “good morals,” which appears in several provisions of the Marriage Act. For example, a court may take measures to reconcile spouses—provided that such action is consistent with “good morals.”

“So, if the judges decide that getting a divorce is immoral and unethical, they will try to reconcile you. Set aside months for court hearings and meetings with people who will stick their noses into your personal life — lives of two adults who have decided they should build their lives separately,” said Sovsun.

In addition, the “revised” Civil Code reiterates provisions defining a family as a union between a man and a woman. According to human rights organizations, this practice undermines established case law and closes the only legal way for same-sex couples to protect their family rights.

The bill #15150 will have to pass a round of corrections and be accepted in the second hearing to be signed into law. 

Anna Sharyhina, head of KyivPride, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, provided Gwara Media with a legal analysis of the family law provisions in the draft Civil Code. Experts said that although the update was intended to align with European practices, it contains no provisions protecting same-sex couples, despite Ukraine’s obligations to the European Union.

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