Moldova worst in Europe for gay rights
Moldova and Russia are the countries with the most negative score gained in terms of meeting the basic requirements of human rights standards, referring to the acceptance and full legal equality for LGBTI people, a recent report shows. The countries were rated with -4.5 points. They are followed by other four countries with a score of -4 points. These are Macedonia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map shows that none of the countries in Europe can claim to provide full legal equality for LGBTI people. Nonetheless, five countries scored the highest results out the maximum of 30. These are the UK (21), Germany and Spain (20), Sweden (18), Belgium (17).
The ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map report shows that great progress was achieved in 2011 at the international and European levels in terms of recognition of the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity particularly in the fields of asylum and protection from violence.
“Various countries continued moving towards the extension of legal recognition and equal rights to rainbow families; and there are a number of legal proposals towards the introduction of humane laws regarding the change of legal name and gender of trans people,” states the report.
Moldovan civil society has a hard time accepting homosexuals in their community. The anti-discrimination bill which was intended to protect the sexual minorities against discrimination turned controversial in Moldova, the draft law being rejected by the Parliament amid strong opposition from the people and churches.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Presidential Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) urges the Moldovan authorities to adopt a comprehensive bill to fight against discrimination, including on the ground of sexual orientation. Some officials expressed concern at the latest developments regarding the preparation of the bill.
"A draft Anti-Discrimination Law aimed at complying with international standards has been in preparation since 2008, though giving rise to heated debate and misunderstanding within Moldovan society. We are therefore concerned by the recent and unexpected decision of the Minister of Justice to table a compromise draft ‘Law on equal opportunities’ rather than a fully-fledged anti-discrimination law,” the co-rapporteurs of PACE said.
The inducement came as today is the International Day against Homophobia. PACE officials said they expect Moldovan lawmakers to demonstrate political courage and militate for human rights.
“We urge the Moldovan authorities to ensure the adoption of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law which will prevent and efficiently combat discrimination on any ground - including sexual orientation - in all spheres of life, for the benefit of all groups, and in particular the most vulnerable and disadvantaged,” the PACE officials added. They will make a visit to Moldova in the fall of 2012 and release a report to the Assembly next year.
Angela Frolova, the head of GENDERDOC-M of Moldova said yesterday in a press release that members of the LGBT community of Moldova will hand in messages to all 101 lawmakers asking them to vote for the anti-discrimination law.
“World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the international list of illnesses. This helped me to avoid the psychiatry where I could have been locked up for homosexuality. The anti-discrimination bill will help me not to leave my country,” Ms. Frolova said.
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