Colombia’s highest court have ruled that same-sex couples have a legal right to marry under the nation’s constitution.

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The ruling, which won 6-3, adds to a previous decision in 2011 to grant same-sex couples legal protection, but did not specify marriage rights.

Colombia’s Congress were ordered to pass laws to reflect the 2011 ruling in 2013, but no action was taken.

Colombians seized this opportunity to hold same-sex marriages for themselves after the 2013 deadline passed. Colombia’s Inspector General Alejandro Ordonez Maldonado has challenged the legitimacy of these unions.

The South American nation’s politicians have been debating the matter since July last year, catalyzed by the US Supreme Court’s decision to legalise same-sex marriage on a national scale. President Juan Manuel Santos has staunchly supported marriage equality since that time.

Last November, Colombia also moved to remove limitations on same-sex couples who wished to adopt children.

OIP Staff

Sources

• Buzzfeed