A supreme court judge in Panama has reportedly ruled against two separate efforts to legalise same-sex marriage in the country.
Justice Luis Ramón Fábrega has reportedly delivered a draft ruling against a suit filed by a gay couple who wed in the UK and have been seeking to have their union recognised in Panama. The second lawsuit challenged the wording of the country’s Family Code that excludes same-sex couples from marrying.
The Supreme Court has heard arguments over the past few months and has combined both lawsuits into one case.
Fábrega wrote that marriage equality should be decided on by the Panama National Assembly.
“Equality must be constitutionally guaranteed via the law,” wrote Fábrega, according to La Estrella.
“It is incumbent upon the Assembly to pass the necessary laws to comply with the purposes and the exercise of the state’s duties as outlined under the constitution.”
La Estrella also reported that Fábrega's draft ruling “leaves the door open for members of the National Assembly” to “legislate on civil unions between people of the same sex.”
