Religion & Law

Uruguay Establishes Same-Sex Unions
Uruguay has extended a form of nonmarital civil partnership, a “unión concubinaria,” to same-sex couples.

Hiatus on Guatemalan Adoptions
In the midst of investigating claims of fraud, Guatemala has halted all foreign adoptions. Since January, adoptions that were once handled by private attorneys have been handed over to a government agency...

ICJ begins hearings in Argentina-Uruguay paper mill dispute
[JURIST] The International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearings Monday in a treaty dispute between Argentina and Uruguay. Argentina argues that a pulp mill built on the Uruguay side of the Uruguay river, which divides the two countries, violates the 1975 Statute of the River Uruguay, a treaty calling for consultation and agreement between the two countries regarding activities that affect the river...

US to Ban Guatemalan Adoptions
The US Government has proposed banning all adoptions from Guatemala because of widespread abuses and ethical concerns there. While I haven't personally handled any Guatemalan adoptions, I know of several couples and single parents who have adopted there...

Its Okay To Be Gay in Uruguay: Civil Unions are Recognized in the First Latin American Country
“It’s okay if U R Gay in Uruguay.” That slogan could become one of the biggest tourist attractions of the year. This week Uruguay became the first Latin American country to legalize civil unions for homosexual couples...

"Fla. Bar Joins Fight Against State's Ban on Adoptions by Gays"
"Fla. Bar Joins Fight Against State's Ban on Adoptions by Gays": law.com provides a report that begins, "The Florida Bar is coming out in a big way -- for gay adoption. The Bar's board of governors voted unanimously to file an amicus brief before the 3rd District Court of Appeal supporting a Miami-Dade circuit judge's ruling that declared unconstitutional the state's ban on gay adoptions...