ECHR: Italy must introduce legal recognition of gay partnerships

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned Italy for failing to give legal recognition to same-sex partnerships, ruling in favor of three homosexual couples. The ECHR found Italy in breach of article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to respect for private and family life. The ruling awarded the plaintiffs €5,000 each in damages, plus up to a total of €10,000 to cover legal costs and expenses. "The legal protection currently available in Italy to same-sex couples [...] not only failed to provide for the core needs relevant to a couple in a stable committed relationship, but it was also not sufficiently reliable. A civil union or registered partnership would be the most appropriate way for same-sex couples like the applicants to have their relationship legally recognized," the ECHR said in a ruling. Italy is the only country in Western Europe that has no legislation on same-sex unions. The ruling may be of importance for Poland, which is one of few countries in the EU that doesn't recognize same-sex partnerhips.