Law on Guaranteeing of Equality passed in two readings

Parliament adopted the Law on Guaranteeing of Equality in two readings on May 25. Veronica Abramchuk and Zinaida Greaceanii of the group of Socialists and two MPs of the ruling alliance –Liberal-Democrat Valeriu Ghiletski and Democrat Oleg Sarbu – voted against. The leader of the group of Socialists Igor Dodon is on a trip and did not take part in the sitting. The Communist MPs continue to boycott the legislature’s sittings, Info-Prim Neo reports. Minister of Justice Oleg Efrim said the law represents a mechanism for ensuring the equality of citizens in accordance with Article 16 of the Constitution and the relevant European directives. Head of Parliament Marian Lupu said that this law does not provide reasons for such fears as homosexual families, adoption of children by such families and gay parades. It does not suppress the clergy and does not put administrative or criminal responsibly on somebody. The law is designed to ensure the framework needed for preventing discrimination on such grounds as ethnicity and spoken language. Veronica Abramchuk said the ruling alliance MPs are pressed from outside to pass this bill, but this law defies the faith, values and Constitution of Moldova. She also said that by adopting this law, the AEI wrote a black page in the history of the country. The bill on guaranteeing of equality was passed by 53 votes in favor. Valeriu Ghiletski told the press that he voted against it because he considers that the nontraditional sexual orientation is not correct and the phrase ‘sexual orientation’ that remained in the article on employment will be used as basis by those who support the nontraditional sexual orientation movement. The adoption of the Law on Guaranteeing of Equality and the Law on the Anticorruption Center represents a condition imposed by the EU for liberalizing the visa regime with Moldova.