Italian Parliament approves to consider surrogacy as a universal crime

The Italian Chamber of Deputies passed a law to make surrogacy a "universal crime" and punish those who violate the legislation with imprisonment and fines of up to one million euros (~$1,100,000).

Although surrogacy has been considered a crime in Italy since 2004, with the approval of the Varchi law, it will now be possible to punish those who take advantage of their trips abroad to rent wombs.

The legislation went forward with the support of 166 deputies, 109 against and four abstentions, so now it only remains for the Senate -where the right holds a majority- to vote for this rule to become law.

"Motherhood is unique, non-replaceable and non-substitutable," expressed the deputy who promoted the legislation, Carolina Varchi, highlighting that "life is a good that cannot be commercialized."

With this legislative proposal, people who perform, organize and even advertise surrogacy could face prison sentences from three months to two years and fines from 600 thousand to one million euros.

"Maternity cannot take place for financial compensation, a child cannot be commercialized and this market must end," insisted Varchi.

Controversy over legislation

The law has been highly criticized by the left and LGBTQ groups, who consider that this legislation only serves to intimidate and discourage the community.

"Children are going to be considered children of a universal crime, and families are going to find themselves in a criminal proceeding even if the surrogacy is legal in the country where the surrogacy was performed," criticized the Famiglie Arcobaleno Association (rainbow families, as it is known in Italy LGBT families).