Due to the post election violence in the streets of Chisinau, the Board of GenderDoc-M took the decision to postpone the planned demonstration for the adoption of comprehensive anti discrimination law until 10 December on International Human Rights Day. The organizers believed that there was little chance that the police would adequately protect demonstrators and the risk of violence had increased after the events of April. In addition, the continuing absence of a confirmed government means that the key audience for such an action is not in place.
Hence, the peaceful manifestation has been replaced with a 3 day programme of events that included a round table on freedom of assembly, another round table on the perspectives of women’s movement, a series of workshops on patriarchy, psychology and art, and, of course, concerts and parties. Two ILGA-Europe staff members have participated in the Pride event and had contributions in the round tables and other activities organised by GenderDoc-M.

The above mentioned change of plans was explained to Moldovan journalists in a press-conference on May 5, which was well covered by the local media (PRO TV-Chisinau, TV-7, EU-TV, newspapers: “Trud”, “Independent Moldova”, press agency “Infotag”).

The panel of the round table on freedom of assembly included representatives of Moldovan mainstream human rights groups – Resource Centre for Human Rights NGOs CREDO and Amnesty International, as well as international expert and member of the OSCE expert committee on freedom of assembly Michael Hamilton, who was invited by ILGA-Europe.

Another interesting round table was held on the perspectives of development of the women’s movement in the post-Soviet countries. The participants – mostly lesbian and bisexual women activists from the region – shared their experiences of working for the women’s communities and debated ways forward. A declaration on necessity to raise the visibility and develop the movement of lesbian and bisexual women in post soviet countries was drafted and signed by all present regional LGBT organisations (including ILGA-Europe) to be used as a tool for advocacy of LB women in post USSR countries.

During the last day of the Pride a group of about forty participants in a now established tradition, laid flowers to the monument of the oppressed. Although even laying of flowers has been problematic for GenderDoc-M in the past- the way was always blocked by the police-this year it was different. About 5 plain clothes policemen were there to film, nothing more, and even allowed the Chair of GenderDoc-M, to give a short inspiring speech. In a hostile Moldovan context, even the ability to lay flowers without problems at a monument on the outskirts of the city is seen as an important victory.

For more information check GenderDoc-M website