WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement today responding to an Inter-American Court of Human Rights advisory opinion stating that Costa Rica should redefine marriage to include same-sex relationships.

“Given that the United States is the predominant funder of the Organization of American States it is of great concern that one of its international courts has issued an opinion recommending Costa Ricans to change their law,” Sen. Lee said. “The United States must do more to safeguard religious liberties around the world, prevent taxpayer dollars from funding ineffective international organizations, and most importantly uphold national sovereignty and the principles of subsidiarity.”

On January 9th, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued an advisory opinion that Costa Rica should redefine marriage to include same-sex relationships. This opinion is relevant to Costa Rica and 19 other countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean that have accepted the Court’s jurisdiction. The opinion was made in response to a petition from Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis asking the Court for its opinion on the matter.