The Human Rights Commission is unmoved its clear stance that religious ministers will not be compelled to marry anyone in their churches. It comes following a legal opinion released by an anti-equality lobby group, from barrister Ian Bassett. He claims ministers will breach both the Human Rights Act and the Bill of Rights Act if they refuse to marry gay couples. A fresh statement from Chief Human Rights Commission David Rutherford says the Commission stands by its position. “Whether [ministers] choose to marry anyone is a matter for them and their conscience. That will not change if the Bill on same sex marriage currently before the house becomes law,” Rutherford says. “Until it is clear that the Bill will proceed through Parliament, the Commission has no further comment. The Commission’s detailed legal analysis will be made available should the Bill proceed to Select Committee.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 28th August 2012 - 9:53pm