Bogotá, November 5 (teleSUR-RHC)-- In an historic court ruling, same-sex couples can now adopt children in Colombia, the Constitutional Court of Colombia decided on Wednesday.

With six votes in favor and two against, the high court ruled that same-sex couples can enjoy the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts and can adopt children by following the same procedures as stipulated by Colombian law.

Judge Jorge Ivan Palacio explained the adoption processes should make sure applicants are suitable without “the sexual orientation assessment of parents, since this would constitute a judgment of discrimination.”

The main argument used to justify the ruling was protecting the rights of children. The judge said "the adoption of children by people with diverse sexual orientation, in general, and for same-sex couples in particular, in itself does not affect the interests of the child; nor does it negatively compromise their physical and mental health, or their development. "

Palacio argued the rights of children should prevail. He said its is discriminatory to deny an abandoned child of the possibility to become part of a family just because it is formed by a same-sex couple. It goes against to the children's right to have a home, El Colombiano news agency reported.

The resolution was endorsed by the documents submitted by the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) and the Ministry of Health.

The ruling represents a major step forward in the expansion of rights for the country’s sexual minorities.

In July, the Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo and Justice Minister Yesid Reyes called on the judicial institution to rule in favor of same-sex marriage, considering Congress had failed on various occasions to do so.