Parliament on Friday voted in favour of amending the constitution on family law, broadening its scope on the cases the courts could hear.
With 49 votes in favour and one abstinence, the law allows family courts to try any family disputes, irrespective of whether they belong to the Greek Orthodox church or another religious group.
Provisions which set out the reasons for divorce to include those outlined in the church charter are scrapped. They are replaced with reasons set out by the law, instead of religious text.
As a result of the changes, three-member family courts will be scrapped, speeding up procedures, Panicos Leonidou, Diko MP noted.
Akel MP Aristos Damianou said this was an important step towards modernising the state. Now all citizens, irrespective of nationality or religion will have equal treatment and discrimination against women is eliminated through these amendments.
Similarly, Disy MP Nicos Tornaritis called the vote an important step that reforms family court making it child-centered.
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