Press release: Costa Rica is setting an incredible example for Central America

Brussels, 27 May 2020

Yesterday the first officially recognized same-sex marriage in Central America has been concluded in Costa Rica. The country’s constitutional court had declared same-sex marriage legal in November 2018 and set a period of 18 months until it came into force.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo MEP, Vice-President of the LGBTI Intergroup and Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for Human Rights and relations with Latin America, comments:

The news from Costa Rica fills us with satisfaction and pride for a decision that goes in the right direction of increasing protection of the fundamental rights of LGBTI persons in the world. Today’s historic ‘yes’ also adds to Costa Rica’s recent steps toward the recognition of the rights of transgender people.

Marc Angel MEP, Co-President of the LGBTI Intergroup in the European Parliament, comments:

LGBTI rights do not end at the borders of Europe. The EU must incorporate its human rights agenda in every aspect of its external action. Costa Rica is the first country in Central America to legalize same-sex marriage, setting an incredible example for the wider region.

Terry Reintke MEP, Co-President of the LGBTI Intergroup

If the EU wants to be a champion in the fight for equality on a global scale, it needs to be a model itself. In 2019, 40% of European LGBTI persons claimed to have suffered harassment or discrimination. We need to progress on EU-wide protection of LGBTI persons in all applicable contexts without exceptions.

Press contacts:

Fabio Massimo Castaldo MEP – Francesca Acampora (Francesca.Acampora@europarl.europa.eu)

Marc Angel MEP – Lisa Kersch (Lisa.Kersch@europarl.europa.eu)

Terry Reintke MEP – Sebastian Fietkau (Sebastian.Fietkau@europarl.europa.eu)