On March 13, the Verkhovna Rada introduced a bill that defines registered partnerships as a voluntary family union of two adults of the same or different sex. In particular, the partners acquire the status of close relatives.

Without this status, same-sex partners are not officially considered relatives, so they cannot make decisions about their partner’s treatment if he or she is injured.

In case of their death, the partner does not have the right to dispose of his or her body, receive an inheritance on preferential terms or social protection from the state, as provided for families of defenders or victims of war. The author of the petition, Ukrainian serviceman Petro Zhirukha, noted this.

“This problem has been present in Ukraine since independence, but after Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, it has only become more intense, as Ukrainians are in danger every day, both civilian and military. Couples who do not want to or cannot get married cannot enjoy the same rights as married people. In particular, this applies to same-sex couples, including LGBT+ military couples,” he said.

In addition, the author referred to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, a treaty of which Ukraine is a member. Therefore, the absence of legal recognition of same-sex couples in the country violates Article 8 of the Convention, enshrining the right to respect for private and family life.

The petition was published yesterday, March 28. It has already collected the signatures of over 3,000 citizens. About 40 civil society, human rights, and other organizations have supported this call.

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