ORANJESTAD - Same-sex couples and cohabiting couples now have the same rights as traditional married male-female couples.
This is the result of the decision of the Parliament of Aruba to approve the amendments to the new Civil Code.
Parliament already voted in favor of the law five years ago, but due to adjustments, it had to be repeated. Yesterday it was specifically about Book 1, personal and family law, Book 3, property law, Book 4, inheritance law, and Book 7, special obligations.
Seventeen Members of Parliament voted in favor, four against. There has been a lot to do about the bill in recent weeks. Proponents called it a shame that Aruba takes so long for such an important law. Opponents, especially from conservative Christian circles, fear that the law will open the door to same-sex marriage, which they oppose.