The largest case ever heard on same-sex unions closed at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday, with the court deeming the lack of legal recognition of same-sex unions a violation of rights. The Buhuceanu and Others v. Romania case saw 21 same-sex couples jointly launch a case against the Romanian government which offers no legal protection for LGBTQ families. The ECHR ruled that Romania had a duty to provide recognition and protection to same-sex families, forming a legal precedent for all 46 ECHR countries – 15 of which still do not recognise same-sex partnerships. The court rejected the Romanian government’s argument that private contracts could ensure the same level of protection for these families.