Slovakia set for referendum on same-sex marriage ban
Slovakia referendum to strengthen same-sex marriage ban fails
(2 days later)
Slovakia is due to hold a referendum on restrictions on gay rights and the adoption of children by same-sex couples.
A referendum intended to strengthen a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption in Slovakia has failed due to low turnout.
Voters will be asked three questions, including whether marriage can only be a union between a man and a woman.
Only 21.4% of those eligible voted, the national statistics office said on Sunday, well short of the 50% required for the ballot to be valid.
Conservative campaigners forced the referendum after a constitutional ban on gay marriage was enacted last year.
Voters were asked three questions including whether marriage can only be a union between a man and a woman.
Earlier this week Amnesty International said the vote would "pander to homophobic discrimination".
Slovakia's population of 5.4 million people is predominantly Catholic.
If Saturday's referendum were to enforce the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, it would be harder to overturn in the future, Amnesty added.
Liberals and gay rights activists welcomed the outcome. They had encouraged people to boycott the referendum.
'Defence of the family'
Over 90% of those who did vote backed the 2014 constitutional amendment which defines marriage as a union of a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex unions and adoptions.
Observers say the vote in the predominantly Catholic country is part of a pushback against what conservatives see as overly liberal policies spreading eastwards from western Europe.
They also supported the right for children to skip classes involving sex education and euthanasia.
Croatia held a similar referendum in 2013 while in neighbouring Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has championed traditional family values.
Anton Chromik of the Alliance for Family which had spearheaded the referendum said he was delighted that a clear majority of voters who had participated supported the Alliance.
EU rules allow each of the bloc's 28 members to make their own decisions on issues like marriage and adoption.
"We will continue our struggle to protect the family," he said as the low turnout became apparent.
As well as the question on marriage, Saturday's referendum asks whether same-sex couples should be banned from adoptions, and whether children can skip classes involving education on sex and euthanasia.
Conservatives fear that although the gay marriage ban remains in place, it is being undermined by liberal policies spreading eastwards from western Europe.
To be legally binding, the turnout in the ballot must be more than 50%.
EU rules allow each of the bloc's 28 members to pass their own laws on issues like marriage and adoption.
The referendum has gained support from the Catholic Church, in a country where where more than 60% of residents say they are Catholic.
While several west European countries have legalised same-sex unions, some eastern EU members have taken a more conservative line.
Pope Francis gave the referendum his blessing in an address on St Peter's Square on Wednesday, saying: "I wish to express my appreciation to the entire Slovak Church, encouraging everyone to continue their efforts in defence of the family, the vital cell of society."
Croatia held a similar referendum in 2013, backing a proposal to ban gay marriage, while in neighbouring Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has championed traditional family values.
The Alliance for Family, a conservative group, forced the vote by gathering more than 400,000 signatures in a petition.
"The referendum isn't against same-sex couples, it's for children," spokesman Anton Chromik told AFP news agency.
"The European Parliament and some EU member states have passed laws that undermine the unique nature of marriage, families and children's rights. We're worried about parents losing the freedom to raise their kids according to their beliefs."
But human rights group have condemned the move as an attempt to force religion on to others.
"This referendum could lead to a significant step back for Slovakia," said Amnesty International's Barbora Cernusakova.
