Chisinau Mayoralty Refused to Authorize Sexual Minorities' Manifestation

The Mayoralty of Chisinau refused to authorize a manifestation to be held in front of the Parliament, planed on May 5 by the Information Centre GenderDoc-M for supporting the anti-discrimination legislation, including the legislation regarding sexual minorities. The information was presented on Tuesday, May 2, at a press conference by the head of the Centre, Alexei Marcicov. According to Marcicov, quoted by Info-Prim Neo, the Mayoralty explained its refuse by the existence of several warnings formulated by the religious organizations regarding the organization of protests in case the action from May 5 will be authorized. GenderDoc-M considers these arguments groundless. The refuse violates such fundamental human rights as freedom of expression nd the right to freedom for peaceful assembly guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. According to the centre, the decision of the municipal authorities affects the image of the Republic of Moldova taking in consideration the engagements taken within the EU-Moldova action plan that implies adopting a new anti-discriminatory legislation in accordance with the European standards. The Centre decided to sue the Mayoralty and to address to international bodies if the local law system will not satisfy their demands. Marcicov confirmed that the representatives of the Centre were requested via e-mail or by phone not to organize public manifestations during the festival of the sexual minorities, planed for the following days. The messages informed about possible scandals or public order disturbance. The Director of the GenderDoc-M considers these actions of the population and of some organizations as discriminatory in relation with the sexual minorities, mentioning this is the reason why adopting anti-discriminatory laws is compulsory. The quoted source said that despite the interdictions and community’s attitude the fifth Moldovan Gay Pride “Rainbow over the Nistru – 2006” will take place on May 5-7. The program will include an international conference, showing movies on the subject, a mini-football match, legislative theatre, festive concerts. He said at the Festival will participate guests from Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Holland, Belgium and other countries. The GenderDoc-M Centre was created in 1998 and promotes the rights of the gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals.