Italy court rules against “father-only” surnameNovember 9, 2016 - 10:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italy's constitutional court has ruled against legislation that automatically gives children of married couples the father's surname, BBC News reports. Lawyers argued that preventing families from giving children their mother's surname discriminated against women. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had earlier condemned the legislation - which dates from Roman times - and ordered Italy to change it. Campaigners hailed Tuesday, November 8's ruling and called for parliament to endorse it. "The court has declared the unlawfulness of rules providing for the automatic attribution of the paternal surname to legitimate children, when the parents wish otherwise," the constitutional court said in a statement. The case involved an Italian-Brazilian couple who wanted to give their son both their surnames, as is traditional in many Spanish-speaking countries. After their request was rejected by Italian authorities, they took the case to the ECHR, which ruled in their favour in 2014. It said the law was incompatible with the principle of gender equality enshrined in Italy's modern constitution. Italy's lower house has approved a bill aimed at changing the law, but it has been blocked in the Senate for years. "The Constitutional Court has taken a decision of great importance for our society," campaigner and left-wing MP Fabrizia Giuliani is quoted as saying by AFP news agency. "The senate no longer has any excuse for not abolishing this anachronism and giving women their right in this matter." Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |