MEP Monica Macovei welcomes inclusion of ‘sexual orientation’ in nondiscrimination criteria

The phrase ‘sexual orientation’ must be among the nondiscrimination criteria, MEP Monica Macovei, who heads the Moldova-EU interparliamentary delegation, said in a letter to the Moldovan lawmakers, Info-Prim Neo reports. “I welcome the inclusion of ‘sexual orientation’ in the nondiscrimination criteria. At the EU level, this requirement is nonnegotiable,” Monica Macovei said, stressing that by the plan of action on the liberalization of the visa regime Moldova pledged to achieve this objective and to adopt the antidiscrimination law in 2011. According to the MEP, equality and combating of discrimination are fundamental values in the EU and Moldova should embrace them. Monica Macovei congratulated the Government of Moldova on the drafting of this law, but recommended that the implementation mechanism should clearly define the role of the courts and the Antidiscrimination Council and lay down transparent notification procedures. The MEP warns that the legal remedies should be adequate and proportional. The Government of Moldova approved the antidiscrimination bill on February 17 and submitted it to the Parliament for consideration.