Judge under investigation after ‘offensive’ comments to lesbian mother

25 July 2007

MADRID – A Spanish judge who made remarks which offended women’s groups in the case of a lesbian mother is under investigation, said judiciary panel the CGPJ.

Judge Fernando Ferrin Calamita, who sits in Murcia, ordered a lesbian mother to hand over her two daughters to their father because, arguing her homosexuality would harm them and increase the risk that the girls would also become lesbians.

“It is understood that (a parent’s) drug addiction, child abuse, prostitution, belonging to a satanic sect or heterosexual affair would negatively affect the children and serve as a reason for a change of custody,” he said. “Well, it’s the same with homosexuality.”

In his ruling, Ferrin also condemned Spain’s recent laws against domestic violence and the legalisation of gay marriage, as well as legislation liberalising child custody. He claimed that the laws were “a mistake by the parliament controlled by the ruling party” in reference to the governing Socialists.

The CGPJ said it will examine whether the judge committed a serious offence in his ruling. He could be accused of using offensive remarks in a judicial resolution.

Women’s associations and gay rights groups had protested the judge’s ruling and sent petitions to the Spanish judicial authorities claiming Ferrin had overstepped his authority.

If found guilty of the offence, Ferrin faces a fine of between EUR 300-3,005.

(Copyright EFE with Expatica)

Subject: Spanish news