First Pride March held in Moldova
On 19 May, the first Pride March was held in Chisinau, Moldova. This is a historic day for people fighting for LGBT rights as well as a victory for freedom of assembly in Moldova.
Moldova
We strive to improve the protection against discrimination by promoting the adoption of a Law against discrimination. We increase awareness about the possibility to use jurisprudence from the European Court as a mechanism for change, by providing translations of important cases and judgements concerning Moldova in Romanian to legal practitioners.
Read about the current human rights situation in our country report Human rights in Moldova
Discrimination case won on International Day against Homophobia
A court in Chisinau has found a man liable for harassment and victimization of his ex-wife on the ground of sexual orientation. “This is an important court decision in the fight against discrimination and for equal rights and we are happy that the court ruling is pronounced on the International Day against Homophobia”, says Åsa Bergqvist at Civil Rights Defenders.
Great concern regarding continued harrassment of Stepan Popovsky
Civil Rights Defenders is seriously concerned about the repeated harassment of Stepan Popovsky in connection to his human rights work. We urge the President of the de facto administration of Transnistria, Mr. Yevgeny Shevchuk, to ensure that the accusations against Stepan Popovsky are impartially investigated.
Freedom of assembly finally ensured for LGBT people
After 15 years of struggle, Civil Rights Defender’s Moldovan partner GenderDoc-M was finally able to exercise its legitimate right to assembly on 14 February. All previous attempts have been banned or in different ways hindered by the authorities. Freedom of assembly is not only a human right, guaranteed by major international and European instruments, but also expressed in the Constitution of Moldova.
Threats must be condemned and investigated
Civil Rights Defenders and Front Line Defenders are concerned for the safety of human rights defenders in Transnistria, the internationally unrecognised separatist republic of Moldova. The two organisations urge the Transnistrian administration to do their outmost to protect and ensure that threats or attacks against human rights defenders are publicly condemned and investigated.
Important victory for the right to education in Transnistria
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Russian Federation violated the right to education in the cases of Moldovan schools using Latin in the region of Transnistria. The court has sentenced Russia to pay one million and twenty thousand EUR in respect of non-pecuniary damage and fifty thousand EUR for costs and expenses.
Legal developments strengthens the rights of LGBT people
Moldova’s Supreme Court of Justice has issued recommendations to local juridical instances that will improve the legal status of transgender people in Moldova. In another recent court ruling a Chisinau court stated that the right to private life was violated when a website published a “black list” of public figures promoting homosexuality.
Moldova condemned for discrimination
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Moldova violated the right to freedom of assembly and the prohibition of discrimination when a demonstration for LGBT people’s rights was banned in 2005. “We are very satisfied with this court ruling. It is a historic moment for the work for equal rights in Moldova”, said Åsa Bergqvist, Programme Officer at Civil Rights Defenders.
Anastasia Danilova
Eight years ago Anastasia Danilova moved from Russia to Moldova to be with her girlfriend. Today, as the Executive Director of GENDERDOC-M, she uses her personal experience of being discriminated in the work for human rights. “I am ready to stand up for anybody’s rights, even of those who fight us, like religious minorities. I believe in justice, and equality is a prerequisite for justice.”
Letter to Prime Minister regarding anti-discrimination law
In a letter to the Prime Minister of Moldova we urge the government to adopt an anti-discrimination law in compliance with obligations under international human rights law. Civil Rights Defenders also support all the changes required by the Civic Group for Equality in their Public Appeal sent on May 15.
Anti-discrimination law discriminates LGBT people
In a few weeks time, Moldova will adopt an anti-discrimination law as an important step towards EU integration. Last week the bill was changed and sexual orientation was removed from the list of grounds protected from discrimination in the first article of the draft law.
Improved media situation in Moldova
The situation of press in Moldova has improved in the past year, as a positive effect of a general improvement of the legal and political situation in the country. That is the conclusion of the media report that we are publishing together with Independent Journalism Centre.
Lack of transparency in legislative process
The quality of new laws in Moldova is unsatisfying and at the same time the legislative inflation is rising. Lack of transparency in the legislative process is another great problem, according to the corruption risk analysis by Civil Rights Defenders and Centre for Analysis and Prevention of Corruption.
We trained judges in freedom of speech
In December, Civil Rights Defenders organised a workshop on the new freedom of expression law for judges in Moldova. The aim was to improve understanding of how the new legislation should be interpreted and applied by magistrates who work with these types of cases. “Strengthening the legal system is central, because that’s where the rights are protected”, commented Percy Bratt, chairman of Civil Rights Defenders board and one of the trainers, afterwards.
Important judgment in the fight against hate speech
A court in Chisinau has convicted a website for hate speech against LGBT people. The case is an important step forward in the work for equal rights in Moldova, and demonstrates that incitement to discrimination and violence will not be tolerated.
Cautious openness towards democratic values
In 2009-2010 Moldova saw improvements in terms of human rights. However, several grave problems remain. Moldova has no law against discrimination and persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, elderly, women and ethnic and religious minorities often face discrimination.
Human rights in Moldova
(Updated in October 2011) Moldova is a country in political and constitutional crisis. Moldova held parliamentary elections twice in 2009 and once in November 2010. The results of the elections show a country that is almost evenly divided between the Communist Party, on the one hand, and pro-Western parties on the other. The pro-Western parties [...]
Put pressure on Moldova regarding Discrimination bill
On September 13 Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat is visiting Sweden. Civil Rights Defenders urges the Swedish Government to bring up the proposed Law against discrimination to discussion.
Government must stop discrimination
Civil Rights Defenders and Nondiscrimination Coalition urge the Government and the Parliament of Moldova to adopt an anti-discrimination law. In a joint letter, we require the Moldovan Prime Minister to put an end to homophobic statements in public debate.
Increased access to justice for Roma
Violations committed against Roma people in Moldova are seldom properly investigated nor are the persons responsible prosecuted. Together with the Roma National Center, Civil Rights Defenders provides free legal assistance, identifies and document victims of human rights infringements, monitor trials with the aim to contribute to reducing discrimination against Roma and to increase their access to justice.
European Court judgements guide Moldovan lawyers
In order to contribute to a higher observance of the European Convention in Moldova, Civil Rights Defenders cooperate with Lawyers for Human Rights in translating the jurisprudence of the European Court concerning Moldova into Romanian language.
Moldovan Pride started without incidents
Colorful balloons rose to the sky during the flashmob, held at the same spot where a bus with Pride participants was attacked three years ago.
Government withdrew Anti-discrimination bill from Parliament
Civil Rights Defenders is deeply concerned over the latest developments connected to the proposed anti-discrimination law in Moldova. The Moldovan government has now withdrawn the bill from the parliament.
Open letter to Moldovan MP’s
In an open letter to Moldovan MP’s we call for a swift adoption of the anti-discrimination law.
Gay Pride a test for Pro-European Coalition
From April 29th until May 2nd Gay Pride is arranged in Moldova. A demonstration on Sunday May 2nd has been forbidden with reference to protests from religious and other groups. The event will be an important test for the new coalition government Alliance for European Integration.
2010 will be a year of trials for Moldovan media
In the end of 2009 there was a break in the trend as the authorities initiated a reform process of Moldovan media. 2010 is however predicted to be a year of trials, according to a report that we have published in cooperation with Independent Journalism Centre.
Investigative newspaper under threat
The Moldovan newspaper Ziarul de Garda (ZdG) and its employees have been subjected to several threats after publishing reports on corruption. We, and several media and human rights organisations, call on the Moldovan authorities to investigate the alleged threats.
Moldovan court defends right to information
The Moldovan Supreme Court has decided that the Main Tax Inspectorate has to disclose information to the media organisation Association of Independent Press. It is a positive trend that Moldovan courts to a greater extent defend the right to information.
Human Rights Defenders under Attack in Moldova
In the aftermath of the violence that followed the elections in Moldova on the 5th of April, the Moldovan authorities have harassed and arrested a great number of journalists from Moldovan as well as foreign media. The journalists are often and with little substance accused of having instigated and participated in the violence. In several [...]
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