Members of several nongovernmental organizations on Thursday picketed the Parliament building asking the lawmakers to introduce a minimal electoral quota for women, IPN reports.
The demonstrators were kept from approaching the Parliament building by more than 100 meters and they described it as a violation of the legislation on public assemblies.
“We just wanted to get as close as possible to the lawmakers when they entered the building to give them our handouts. While we understand the need of restrictions in some cases, I don't think this was our case: our group has consisted of just 15 persons or so and we think that this is a violation of our right to publicly assemble and express ourselves”, said Alexei Buzu, director of the Partnership for Development Center.
Alexei Buzu said that, while the legislation on public assemblies doesn't specify expressly the distance which demonstrators should keep from the public buildings they picket, it should be a “reasonable” one. “We hope that next time we'll have greater access”, said he.
The NGOs intend to picket the buildings of the Government and Parliament on the days they hold meetings. The demonstrations will culminate on February 28, when 101 men and women will come together in the Opera Square for a special event calling for an electoral quota for women.
