CUBA endorses new Family Code

HAVANA, Cuba, September 26, 2022 - (Prensa Latina) Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) President Esteban Lazo on Monday endorsed the new Family Code after being approved in popular referendum. 

The referendum on the Family Code was the first process of direct consultation with citizens on a specific law that has been carried out since the triumph of the revolution in 1959. 

The Family Code, which reforms and expands the family law that was in force since 1975, contemplates equal marriage, surrogacy, the adoption of children by homosexual couples, the prohibition of child marriage, and the promotion of comprehensive policies to address the gender violence.

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel referred to the new Family Code as "a fair, necessary, updated, and modern norm, which grants rights and guarantees to all people and to the diversity of families."

Prior to the Sept. 25 referendum, the Catholic Church, evangelical churches and sectors of the political opposition campaigned against the new Family Code, considering that it was not compatible with their values ​​and beliefs.

After the signing, the Cuban president emphasized that the Yes Vote Victory is a tribute to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro; to the eternal President of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) Vilma Espín, and to Army General Raúl Castro, who promoted this initiative supported by 66.87% of the votes.

Justice Minister Oscar Silvera, on the other hand, stressed that the implementation phase will begin now, and also added Cuban jurists from are getting ready for its success.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) informed on Monday that 6,251,786 people exercised their right to vote in the popular referendum, accounting for 74.01% in relation to the basic part of 8,447,467 registered voters.

The CNE also reported that 3,936,790 Cubans voted Yes for the new law, the ones that replaces the family code in force since 1975; while 1,950,090 citizens voted No.