Which countries have adopted the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) means a uniform legal framework governing personal matters like property, marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession etc. for all citizens of the country irrespective of their religion, faith or gender.
There are only a limited number of countries that have adopted a Uniform Civil Code, or rules similar to UCC. Among these countries too, the laws that govern Uniform Civil Code are not uniform and marked differences exist. For example, some countries, like France, do not allow same-sex marriage, while others, like Spain, do. Also there can be separate laws for certain specific personal matters, like succession or inheritance if not defined by the Uniform Civil Code.
Major countries that have opted for a Uniform Civil Codes are:
Egypt: The Uniform Civil Code in this country was established in 1923. Though the codes have been subjected to frequent amendments, they are applicable for all citizens, regardless of their religion.
France: The UCC was formulated in 1804 and has been amended from time to time and applies to all citizens of the country.
Ireland: The country has succeeded in establishing a UCC. The code enacted in 1937 and subjected to periodic amendments governs all citizens notwithstanding their religious affinity.
Italy: In Italy, the Uniform Civil Code was first established in 1865. This UCC has been subjected to revision multiple times, but applies to all citizens of the country regardless of the personal faith of the citizens.
Portugal: Portugal too has a Uniform Civil Code and discards the religious attachments of the citizens. Their UCC was first established in 1966.
Spain: Span has been following UCC from 1889. The UCC of the country applies to all citizens and has subjected to multiple rounds of revisions.
Sudan: The uniform Civil Code of Sudan is comparatively new as the country adopted it only in1991. The UCC of the country is applicable to all citizens.
The US: The United States though highly progressive, lacks a Uniform Civil Code. However, some of the states have adopted their versions of the code. For example, California has adopted a Family Code applicable for all citizens. Even among the states which have adopted the UCC, the norms vary.
In India, the largest Democratic country of the world, the UCC has been in the debate since the formulation of the country. Though, uniform civil code has not been implemented in the country, the concept of the code is covered in Part IV of the Constitution of India. Though many states of the country have expressed their willingness to adopt the UCC, none has officially adopted it. The state of Goa, however, continues to have a version of uniform code, which was established under the previous regime, even after becoming a part of the Indian union.
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