Mayor refuses gay demonstration
28/04/2006
By
Boris Balanetkii
For a second year Moldovan authorities deny LGBT community the constitutional right to a peaceful demonstration
The city authorities of Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, have refused to authorize a peaceful demonstration in support of the adoption of anti-discrimination legislation for sexual minorities. The demonstration was planned to take place on 5 May in front of the Moldovan Parliament as part of the Fifth Moldovan LGBT Pride festival, organized by the Information Centre GenderDoc-M.
In the rejection letter the interim city mayor Mr. Vasile Ursu states that the decision was made in order to avoid public disorder with serious consequences for society. The decision Nr.417-d reads: "Based <┘.>on the statements of religious organizations that they will organize protest actions if the demonstration organized by GenderDoc-M is allowed, and also based on letters of complaint from individuals living in Chisinau and registered in the city, which also say that protest actions will be organized, <┘> the demonstration in the form of a solidarity march, planned by Information Center "GenderDoc-M" for 5 May 2006, will not be authorized".
GenderDoc-M considers these arguments irrelevant and developed for the sole purpose of justifying the refusal to authorise the demonstration. Moreover, the refusal violates the basic human rights of freedom of expression and assembly guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. The decision of the city authorities undermines the Moldovan authorities' commitments under the EU-Moldova Action Plan, which include the adoption of anti-discrimination legislation in line with European standards.
GenderDoc-M is challenging the ban before the Court of Appeal which it hopes will deliver a rational judgment. We also call upon representatives of the European institutions and the EU Member States to raise the subject of LGBT rights, and particularly this incident, with the Moldovan authorities.
Despite this event the Fifth Moldovan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Festival, "Rainbow over the Nistru - 2006" will take place as planned from 5 - 7 May 2006. All the events will be organized in a peaceful manner. The Pride programme includes a movie week, an international conference on anti-discrimination issues, a football match between lesbian teams, legislative theatre, colourful concerts, etc. Guests from Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries will take part.
For more information please contact Boris Balanetkii, GenderDoc-M Executive Director at director@gay.md or by phone: /37322/ 544420, 544054.
The city authorities of Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, have refused to authorize a peaceful demonstration in support of the adoption of anti-discrimination legislation for sexual minorities. The demonstration was planned to take place on 5 May in front of the Moldovan Parliament as part of the Fifth Moldovan LGBT Pride festival, organized by the Information Centre GenderDoc-M.
In the rejection letter the interim city mayor Mr. Vasile Ursu states that the decision was made in order to avoid public disorder with serious consequences for society. The decision Nr.417-d reads: "Based <┘.>on the statements of religious organizations that they will organize protest actions if the demonstration organized by GenderDoc-M is allowed, and also based on letters of complaint from individuals living in Chisinau and registered in the city, which also say that protest actions will be organized, <┘> the demonstration in the form of a solidarity march, planned by Information Center "GenderDoc-M" for 5 May 2006, will not be authorized".
GenderDoc-M considers these arguments irrelevant and developed for the sole purpose of justifying the refusal to authorise the demonstration. Moreover, the refusal violates the basic human rights of freedom of expression and assembly guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. The decision of the city authorities undermines the Moldovan authorities' commitments under the EU-Moldova Action Plan, which include the adoption of anti-discrimination legislation in line with European standards.
GenderDoc-M is challenging the ban before the Court of Appeal which it hopes will deliver a rational judgment. We also call upon representatives of the European institutions and the EU Member States to raise the subject of LGBT rights, and particularly this incident, with the Moldovan authorities.
Despite this event the Fifth Moldovan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Festival, "Rainbow over the Nistru - 2006" will take place as planned from 5 - 7 May 2006. All the events will be organized in a peaceful manner. The Pride programme includes a movie week, an international conference on anti-discrimination issues, a football match between lesbian teams, legislative theatre, colourful concerts, etc. Guests from Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries will take part.
For more information please contact Boris Balanetkii, GenderDoc-M Executive Director at director@gay.md or by phone: /37322/ 544420, 544054.
