Marginalization, discriminatory attitudes and exclusion of minority groups are fuelled by a number of factors, including hate speech that is present almost daily in different contexts. Despite the adopted legislative changes, structured interventions are still necessary to ensure the social and economic cohesion of all the minority groups. A study presented by the Center “Partnership for Development” (CPD) shows that the LGBT community, persons with HIV, former prisoners, persons with intellectual disabilities and persons of another religion, ethnicity or nationality are the most discriminated and marginalized ones in Moldova.
In a news conference hosted by IPN, Natalia Covrig, CPD executive director, said the study shows a high level of prejudice and discriminatory attitudes. Even if measures were taken to increase social cohesion and inclusion, particular groups continue to be marginalized. “When we speak about LGBT, we have about 78% of persons who would not like to be neighbors to representatives of this group and 75% of the Moldovan citizens who would not like to be workmates with representatives of this group. About half of the population of the Republic of Moldova does not want to be neighbors to or coworkers with persons with HIV or former prisoners,” stated Natalia Covrig.
Gheorghina Drumea, secretary of the Coalition for Inclusion and Non-Discrimination, said that a number of the legal provisions adopted last year enabled to create a better mechanism for protecting the victims of discrimination, both at contravention and criminal levels. Also, a number of phenomena were criminalized, including the inciting of discrimination through public speech or manifestations.
“However, there is a small gap. If we speak about classical hate speech that further discredits, insults and stereotypes a group or particular persons according to a particular criterion – religion, ethnicity, LGBT – this speech is not covered. Going to the Equality Council is the only solution, but not in all the cases. Respectively, we have yet to struggle, to implement an efficient mechanism against classical hate speech,” stated Gheorghina Drumea. According to her, the ratification of the Protocol on the prohibition of discrimination to the European Convention on Human Rights remains an overdue measure. The national mechanisms remain one of most efficient instruments by which the victims can seek justice.
Andrei Brighidin, a member of the Equality Council, the findings of the study should make the authorities ponder over and identify suitable solutions and policies to build social cohesion and to also maintain and extend the human rights and equality, including human dignity, in the Republic of Moldova. A number of legislative amendments were made meanwhile to introduce a number of remedies for victims of distinct forms of discrimination, such as harassment and victimization. Also, the Council was authorized to directly impose penalties for the hampering of its activity, including the non-fulfillment of recommendations and prescriptions stipulated in its decisions.
Note: IPN News Agency gives the right of reply to persons who consider they were touched by the news items produced based on statements of the organizers of the given news conference, including by facilitating the organization of another news conference in similar conditions.
