Moldovan society is not yet ready for antidiscrimination law, Communist MP

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay insists that Moldova should adopt the antidiscrimination bill, but the Moldovan society is not yet ready for such a law, the head of the parliamentary commission on human rights and interethnic relations Vadim Misin stated for Info-Prim Neo. The commission had a protocol meeting with the UN High Commissioner in the evening of November 3. Vadim Misin said the meeting focused on the situation of human rights in Moldova. “We spoke about the detention conditions in our prisons, about the Roma in Moldova. I told the High Commissioner what we managed to do and what problems we encounter,” said the commission’s head. Vadim Misin also said that the antidiscrimination bill was discussed for a long time in the meeting. “We realize the importance of such a law for society, but most of the Moldovans do not want to accept it, especially that article about the sexual minorities. Both the people and the Church are against the adoption of the antidiscrimination law,” he stated. According to Vadim Misin, the UN High Commissioner understood the arguments provided by the commission, but did not agree with them. “I can tell you honestly that everyone kept their opinions and convictions. This bill will be passed in a period, when the people are ready and support it,” said the Communist lawmaker. He added he assured the UN official that the parliamentary commission on human rights and interethnic relations consists of professionals who know what the human rights mean and make effort to defend them. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay has been in Moldova on an official visit during November 1-4, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca. She is the first UN Commissioner for Human Rights who paid a visit to Moldova.