Zagreb, Nov 9 (IANS): Croatian parliament approved Friday a referendum to be held Dec 1 on whether to define marriage in the constitution as a heterosexual union.

There is presently no definition of marriage in the constitution of the country.

The move came after a civil association "In the Name of the Family" collected more than 740,000 signatures, which is above the 10-percent requirement of all eligible voters for a referendum, Xinhua reported.

In case of a majority vote saying "yes", Croatia's constitution will be amended to specifically define marriage as between a man and a woman, an actual ban on gay marriages.

Despite enough signatures, critics say the vote is discriminatory and it infringes on basic human rights.

According to local media, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said he would vote against amending the constitution. "I think that determining marriage between a man and a woman does not belong in the constitution. A nation is judged by its attitude toward minorities," he was quoted as saying.

The referendum would be the first citizen-initiated national vote in the country since its independence in 1991.