Italian politicians have passed into law a bill to extend the country's ban on surrogacy to couples who seek it abroad, despite warnings the move would damage children's rights.

Italian politicians have passed into law a bill to extend the country's ban on surrogacy to couples who seek it abroad, despite warnings the move would damage children's rights.

The move is seen by critics to target LGBT couples, who are not allowed to adopt or use IVF in the country.

ROME: Italy’s parliament made it illegal on Wednesday for couples to go abroad to have a baby via surrogacy -- a pet project of Prime Minister’s Giorg...

Italy's parliament made it illegal on Wednesday for couples to go abroad to have a baby via surrogacy -- a pet project of Prime Minister's Giorgia Meloni party which activists say is meant to target same-sex partners.

The new law was pushed by the party of Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s conservative prime minister.

The law passed the Italian senate with a vote of 84-58.

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Italian lawmakers passed a law on Wednesday making it illegal for couples to travel to the United States and other countries to circumvent Italy's ban on surrogacy to conceive a child.

Italy on Wednesday criminalized citizens who go abroad to have children through surrogacy, while opponents slam it as “medieval” and discriminatory.

Opponents describe the new law as an “inhumane act against parents and children.”

In a move which tightens a previous 2004 surrogacy ban, Italy has officially banned its citizens from seeking surrogates abroad in a new Senate bill passed on Wednesday.