Slovenian bishops criticise judgement on artificial insemination

Ljubljana - Artificial insemination has been a contentious issue in Slovenia for years. Single and homosexual women were previously denied the option of medically assisted reproduction. This is now set to change. The bishops think this is bad.

Published on 27.11.2024 at 12:38 –

Slovenia's bishops have criticised the latest ruling by the Constitutional Court on artificial insemination. On Tuesday, the judges in Ljubljana overturned a ban on the option of artificial insemination for single people and women in same-sex relationships. Parliament must reform the relevant law within a year, the court ruled.

Slovenia's bishops expressed their "regret" about the decision on Wednesday. "We see this decision as a further step towards dismantling the ideal of the family as the cornerstone of our society," said a statement from the national bishops' conference. The reality is that not every child grows up in a traditional family. However, deliberately depriving children of a parent is not the right way forward for society.

The issue has been dividing the south-east European nation for some time. In 2020, liberal members of parliament pushed through a constitutional review of the ban on artificial insemination for single and lesbian women. With the ordered reform, "one of the greatest injustices will be corrected", the Left Party in Slovenia commented on the current judgement. (KNA)