The United Nations Office in the Republic of Moldova calls on the Government to challenge anti-minority measures and to reaffirm its commitment to human rights leadership and to condemn and strike down certain discriminatory acts passed recently by several municipalities in the country, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a press release from the UN Office in Moldova. Moldova, which currently serves on the UN Human Rights Council, is urged to affirm publicly the positive value of diversity and to condemn expressions of hatred and intolerance. The United Nations launched its call as the UN Human Rights Council continued its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Republic of Moldova this week. Last week, the Human Rights Council held its first ever dedicated discussion on the issue of discrimination and violence on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. In a moving speech to the Council on March 7 on the worldwide situation in regard to threats to diversity, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told delegates: “We see a pattern of violence and discrimination directed at people just because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. This is a monumental tragedy for those affected – and a stain on our collective conscience. It is also a violation of international law.” The UN urges Moldova to join the international effort to fight violence and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity by affirming its commitment to support the Human Rights Council’s work in this area.