Are you tired of outdated traditions dictating how your name should be ordered? Well, rejoice! Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice has brought some long-awaited change. In a groundbreaking decision reported on Wednesday, the court abolished the mandatory practice of placing the father’s last name before the mother’s on identification documents.

In many Spanish-speaking countries, individuals are commonly known by two first names and two last names, which are inherited from their parents. However, this ruling allows Costa Rican citizens to finally have the freedom to choose the order of their own last names.

The court’s decision came after careful consideration of the civil code, which previously enforced the paternal surname to precede the maternal surname. Recognizing the contradictions it posed to the principles of equality, both domestically and internationally, the court determined that this outdated custom was in direct violation of laws protecting against discrimination, especially towards women.

According to Judge Paul Rueda, this landmark change was initiated by a case in which an individual sought to reverse the order of her surnames, placing her mother’s name first. The court emphasized that maintaining the existing law limited citizens from fully expressing their personalities and identities.

The magistrates stated, “Surnames form an inseparable part of the personality of human beings, and their order is inherent to the fundamental rights to name and identity.

This progressive move towards gender equality reflects Costa Rica’s commitment to dismantling patriarchal norms that have long favored men over women. The court acknowledged that the previous law was rooted in archaic concepts of family, which perpetuated discrimination against women. By embracing this change, Costa Rica takes a significant step forward in achieving a more inclusive society.

It’s worth mentioning that this decision follows a bill proposed last year by the Human Rights Commission in Costa Rica’s congress. The bill aimed to grant citizens the freedom to choose the order of their names, and it was a significant precursor to this landmark ruling.

To stay updated on this remarkable development and other stories that matter, visit F5 Magazine. Let us celebrate equality together and continue striving for a more just world.

By f5mag

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