Taipei, May 17 (CNA) The international community has applauded Taiwan for passage of a same-sex marriage law and its efforts to protect human rights.
Taiwan made history to become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage by passing a law that will allows two persons of the same gender to register their marriage, with a minimum of two witnesses signing the registration document.
The United Kingdom was among the foreign countries that congratulated Taiwan on passage of the legislation.
In his Twitter message, U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the passage of the gay marriage bill in Taiwan was great news for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and also represented another huge step forward for LGBT equality in Asia.
"As Taiwan passed the marriage equality bill, making it the first place to recognize same-sex marriage in Asia, we would like to congratulate the people of Taiwan on this achievement, and would like to welcome the people of Taiwan to join the ever-growing international community with marriage equality," Hunt said.
"This is one big step forward in human rights not only for Taiwan, but also for Asia and for the world," he added.
"Bravo" the France representative office in Taiwan said after the passage of the bill.
The French office wrote on its Facebook page that the struggle for equal rights and dignity to be respected for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is an everyday struggle.
It said France welcomes Taiwan's efforts in this area, and that Taiwan is at the forefront of defending human rights in Asia.
Meanwhile, Madeleine Majorenko, head of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO), said she was proud of Taiwan for passing the same-sex marriage bill.
"As the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, Taiwan has once again proven to be the leader in the region in human rights, freedom and democracy," the EETO head said on the office's Facebook page.
"The EU will continue to work with Taiwan's NGOs, civil society and government to support, promote and protect the rights of the LGBTI communities in Taiwan and in Asia," she said.
Michael McCulloch, head of the General Relations section of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, said Taiwan's leadership in Asia in terms of equal marriage was inspiring.
"The passing of marriage equality legislation makes me hopeful that one day, LGBT people everywhere will have the right to marry whom they love," McCulloch said.
