Vladimir Voronin must answer for making racist statements, NGO

Amnesty International Moldova urges the competent bodies to take steps following the discourse given by the leader of the Communist Party Vladimir Voronin, who insulted a person of color, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the NGO. According to the communiqué, on February 18 politician Vladimir Voronin made racist statements against John Onoje in a public meeting. John Onoje, who is from Sierra Leone, was protesting near the Triumphal Arch as part of a group of demonstrators, while Vladimir Voronin gave a speech in the Great National Assembly Square in front of his supporters. The latter referred to Onoje’s skin color, affecting his human dignity. “Such a behavior is inadmissible. Moreover, it should be punished in accordance with the law. The freedom of expression does not mean the right to insult somebody, especially in public, before the video cameras. Justice should not overlook this case,” said Cristina Pereteatcu, executive director of Amnesty International Moldova. The NGO called upon the prosecutors and lawmakers to take measures so that the politician answers for his racist statements. “The parliamentary immunity is not a ‘sacred cow’ and it should not be used to ‘wash one’s hands’. If the persons making such statements are not punished, we will be able to say that the ordinary people in Moldova can be verbally attacked even by persons for whom they voted, who can break the law with impunity,” said Cristina Pereteatcu. The human rights defenders are also concerned about the reports according to which John Onoje was beaten in the center of Chisinau immediately after the protests. Amnesty International Moldova specifies that it supports none of the parties in the political process in Moldova and pleads exclusively for the observance of the human rights.