PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s highest court on Tuesday ruled to dismiss part of a law requiring people to undergo gender-affirmation surgery, including sterilization, in order to officially change their gender.
The Constitutional Court said the requirements are “unconstitutional” and “in conflict with the fundamental right of trans people to have protected their physical integrity and personal autonomy in connection with their human dignity.”
Only two of the court’s 15 judges opposed the verdict, which cannot be appealed. Lawmakers must change the affected sections of the law by the middle of next year.
The court ruled at the request of a person who was seeking a gender change. The authorities refused to register him as a man because he had not undergone surgery.
The Czech practice was criticized by LGBTQ+ rights groups.
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, was one of the last European Union countries to have such conditions in law.
Milwaukee election leader ousted 6 months before election in presidential swing state
Ancient pottery, kilns and wells unearthed in north China ruins
Seeing purple: Fans get a new track color and maybe record
Without Curry, Green, the Warriors beat the Jazz 123
Lidia Bastianich, Melody Thomas Scott and Ed Scott to receive Daytime Emmys lifetime achievement
Strong earthquake rattles Papua New Guinea, but there is no tsunami alert or reports of damage
Chinese artworks exhibited at National Gallery of Thailand
China's Miao embroidery shows at Milan Fashion Week
Planters nuts recalled across America over potentially fatal contamination
339 Ghanaian students receive scholarship for Chinese language proficiency
Top clubs urge Brazil's soccer federation to suspend league matches because of flooding
Prince Harry opts for a 'quiet luxury' style in a grey T