A number of nongovernmental organizations protested Monday in front of the Chisinau City Hall, demanding that the right to free assembly be observed, regardless of religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The mayor allows only the demonstrations that bring him votes,” said Oleg Brega, a member of the association Hyde Park. “The freedom of assembly is guaranteed by law, by the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova and the European Convention on Human Rights, no matter if the persons are or not citizens of the country, or supporters of the Liberal Party and Dorin Chirtoaca, regardless of the color of the hair, the height, the weight. Dorin Chirtoaca does not have the right to negotiate the human rights for the national, sexual minorities. The rights are equal for all,” Oleg Brega said, stressing that the mayor is a demagogue. Alexei Marchikov, the head of GenderDoc-M, a nongovernmental organization that defends the rights of the sexual minorities, expressed his indignation at the fact that the mayor has not yet ordered ensuring the protection of the participants in the LGBT parade scheduled for May 2. At the same time, the mayor signed an order to ensure the protection of representatives of the religious organizations that will stage a protest also on May 2, but they informed about the event later than the sexual minorities. “This is a discrimination. We demand that the constitutional rights be respected,” Alexei Marchikov said. “The Great National Assembly Square is large enough and can house 5-6 public meetings simultaneously. They can be held in parallel, peacefully. The City Hall is obliged to equally ensure the protection of the protesters. It is a world practice,” said Sergiu Ostaf, the head of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CReDO). Asked to comment on today's protest, the mayor said it is the duty of the local authorities to ensure public order and they will make everything possible to avoid conflicts between the protesters on May 2. “But there are several applications, informing about protests that will be staged on that day and I do not think we can ensure the protection of everyone,” Dorin Chirtoaca said.