Moldova blamed by the UN for discriminatory actions
The Republic of Moldova is urged by the United Nations Office “to affirm publicly the positive value of diversity and to condemn expressions of hatred and intolerance.” The statement comes after recent developments where the City Council of Balti and other towns of Moldova have enforced a bill to ban any “aggressive propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation,” referring to the homosexual community of Moldova.
“The United Nations Office in the Republic of Moldova calls on the Government to reaffirm its commitment to human rights leadership and to condemn and strike down certain discriminatory acts passed recently by several municipalities in the country,” said the United Nations Office in Moldova in a press release today.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed to the Human Rights Council on March 7, being concerned on the worldwide situation in regard to threats to diversity.
“We see a pattern of violence and discrimination directed at people just because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. This is a monumental tragedy for those affected – and a stain on our collective conscience. It is also a violation of international law,” Ban Ki-moon said.
A recent UN report shows that Moldova lacks a public culture of appreciating diversity. The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Heiner Bielefeld, who visited Moldova in September 2011, “called on the government to show leadership, including through the adoption of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, as well as through proactive measures to foster inter-religious dialogue and to combat religious hatred,” according to the same press release.
According to the United Nations, Moldova is one of the two governments in Europe to have explicitly opposed the Human Rights Council resolution issued in 2011 which condemns discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Amnesty International Moldova has also issued a statement in regard to this issue. They urge Moldovan lawmakers to pass the Anti-Discrimination law.
“We call on Moldovan parliamentarians to pass the Anti-Discrimination Law and to ensure that everyone in Moldova can enjoy their human rights without distinction as to race, sex, language, ethnic origin, nationality or religion.”
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