The Hague has confirmed it sacked a registrar who refused to marry same-sex couples.

The registrar in question is Wim Pijl, a former councillor for the Christian Union. In a recent interview with national newspaper Trouw, he said he had strong moral objections against marrying gay and a lesbian couples.

The interview prompted a meeting with council officials in which Mr Pijl refused to retract his statements. As a result, the council informed him that his services were no longer required. Mr Pijl says he intends to fight his dismissal in court.

The council recently presented an emancipation policy document in which it rejects the cabinet viewpoint that registrars should be allowed to refuse marrying same-sex couples on religious grounds. The cabinet recently postponed further debate on the issue indefinitely.

The Hague council explicitly asks new registrars whether they have a problem with marrying same-sex couples. Registrars already employed by the city are assumed to be aware its policies on the issue. However, the council says Mr Pijl’s statements in the interview with Trouw made it clear he has no intention of complying.

In parliament, Christen Union party leader Arie Slob has announced he will ask Interior Minister Piet Hein Donner to clarify the issue.

(gsh/hs)

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