Last week, Euro News reported that Italy extended its 2004 ban on surrogacy to criminalizing couples for seeking surrogacy abroad. The bill’s decision, originally presented by Parliament member Caroline Varchi, came from a seven hour debate in Parliament.
The law stated that “anyone who carries out, organizes or advertises the commercialization of gametes, embryos or surrogacy” could face three months to two years in prison and a minimum fine of €600,000,” according to Euro News.
Lega, a right-wing conservative political party in Italy, lawmakers proposed that the new amendment to the ban should increase “the penalties to 10 years in prison and a €2 million fine.”
While this proposal was rejected, the new law does extend punishment to those who seek surrogacy abroad.
This decision has been promoted by the nation’s ruling political party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), which claims the ban is to protect “women’s dignity” and surrogates by protecting “the relationship between biological parents and their children.”
Many in opposition of the ban suggest that the ban specifically targets to punish LGBTQ+ couples.
