European Convention Seen As Requiring Recognition of Humanist Marriages

Scotland's Registrar General has interpreted the European Convention on Human Rights to require him to recognize Humanist wedding ceremonies. According to a report today in DeHavilland, previously Humanists needed to go through a valid civil ceremony (before their Humanist ceremony) in order to have their marriage legally recognized. The British Humanist Association has written to the Lord Chancellor urging the application of this ruling to England and Wales as well, or, alternatively, the introduction of new legislation to achieve this result in those jurisdictions. (Full text of letter.)