Thursday, 19 April 2007
GLA/2007/235

Moldovan Gay Pride ban – statement by the Mayor of London

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone today issued a statement on the Moldovan authorities banning the gay pride march in the capital of Chisinau.

The Mayor said:
‘I strongly condemn the decision by Chisinau City Council to ban the city's gay pride march. This is an unacceptable attack on universal human rights in clear defiance of national and international human rights law. It also contravenes a recent decision by the Moldovan Supreme Court, which robustly defends the right of all Moldovan citizens, including LGBT people, to freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful protest.
‘It is completely unacceptable that violent threats to public safety, including anti-gay counter-demonstrations by religious and far right organizations, can override basic human and civil rights. The Moldovan authorities control security and their police forces have a responsibility to take all steps to protect citizens from violence and ensure that demonstrators are able to exercise their right to peaceful protest.
‘The European Parliament has made clear that lesbian and gay people should be treated with 'respect, dignity and protection'. Moldova is clearly not doing this. I urge Chisinau City Council to comply with national and international law, reverse this ban and ensure that the march can take place safely and without obstruction.'

Ends