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Monday, 30 July 2007, 11:08 GMT 12:08 UK

Mexico allows gay conjugal visits

Mexico map The prison system in Mexico City has begun permitting gay prisoners to have conjugal visits from their partners.

The city authorities accepted a recommendation by a human rights commission which said the visits would help to end discrimination.

The decision follows a complaint by a man who said he had been refused permission to visit his partner in jail on the grounds they were homosexual.

A 2003 Mexican law bans discrimination based on sexual preference.

"The Mexico City department of prisons and rehabilitation has allowed the first conjugal visit to an inmate with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual," the city's human rights commission (CDHDF) said.

It was, the commission said, " an important step in terms of non-discrimination regarding sexual preference".

Prisoners are allowed conjugal visits in many Mexican jails, and most do not require the visitor to be married to the inmate.

Mexico City's centre-left government has taken a series of controversial decisions, including allowing same-sex civil unions and legalising abortion, despite strong opposition from conservatives and religious groups.



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Related to this story:
Stakes high in Mexico abortion debate (25 Apr 07 |  Americas )
Changing times for Mexico's gay couples (16 Mar 07 |  Americas )
Mexican singer breaks gay taboo (05 Mar 07 |  Entertainment )
Mexico City passes gay union law (10 Nov 06 |  Americas )

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