Colombia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that lawmakers must extend marriage rights to same-sex couples within two years.

According to the ruling, the Colombian Congress must legislate for same-sex marriage by June 20, 2013. If they fail to do same-sex couples will automatically gain the right to go to any judge or notary in the country and marry.

The country already has civil unions which provide almost all the same rights as marriage.

The decision came as the result of a case brought by gay rights group Colombia Diversa in partnership with DeJusticia legal aid and other organisations.

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