MPF calls for shelving of project that prohibits same-sex marriage

The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) asked the Chamber of Deputies to “reject and archive” a project being processed in the House that intends to prohibit civil unions between people of the same sex in Brazil.

The note from the Federal Prosecutor’s Office for Citizens’ Rights (PFDC) was sent to the House on Friday (22) and states that, “in addition to being unconstitutional, the proposal violates international principles and represents a setback with regard to the fundamental rights and guarantees of LGBTQIA+ people.”

>> Be part of the Life and Citizenship channel on Telegram

According to information from Agência Brasil, the prosecutor’s office understands that this would violate precepts such as human dignity and the prohibition of any form of discrimination. The note states that civil union is a voluntary and private act, so “the sexual orientation of those who are joining the union does not matter, and this does not concern the entire community, in a democratic State that guarantees fundamental freedoms, especially those of individuals.”

The bill cited is number 5,167/2009, which prohibits relationships between people of the same sex from being equated with marriage or family life. It was on the agenda for September 19th in the Social Security, Social Assistance, Childhood, Adolescence and Family Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, but the vote was postponed until next Wednesday (27th).

If approved by the Social Security, Social Assistance, Childhood, Adolescence and Family Commission, the project will go to the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), conclusively. In other words, it would not need to go to the plenary in case of new approval, unless 52 deputies sign an appeal to that effect.

Also according to Agência Brasil, the environment at the CCJ is less favorable to the topic, as it is chaired by Rui Falcão (PT-SP), from the government base and opposed to the project.