■ The hijacked bus carrying participants to Gay Pride in Chisinau on Sunday. photo courtesy GenderDoc-M

BRUSSELS, May 13, 2008  –  The lack of any action by Moldovan police to protect participants in last weekend’s Gay Pride in the country’s capital Chisinau – and the illegal banning of the parade by the mayor – was condemned today by the International Lesbian and Gay Association Europe.

“ILGA-Europe is appalled by what happened last Sunday in Chisinau, said spokesperson Juris Lavrikovs, speaking from Brussels.

“We condemn the decision of the Mayor of Chisinau to ban a peaceful manifestation by LGBT people in support of anti-discrimination legislation in Moldova.  His action is illegal and contradicts both the decision of the Supreme Court of Moldova and the decision of the European Court of Human Rights.

“Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are entitled to the same rights to peaceful assembly, association and expression as any other individuals and the city of Chisinau has denied these rights to LGBT people for 7 years.”

And turning to the fiasco in the streets of Chisinau when mobs ‘hijacked’ a bus carrying participants to the Pride, Mr. Lavrikovs said:

“Even more worrying is complete inactivity by the Moldovan police who just observed how the aggressive homophobic mobs attacked the participants of LGBT manifestations, did not interfere and refused numerous calls for protection by LGBT activists stranded in the bus.

“These are grave human rights violations committed by the Moldovan authorities.

“We call upon the European institutions to seriously review the last weekend’s incidents and use various pressure tools available at their disposal to ensure Moldova respects fundamental human rights for LGBT people and complies with the case law established by the European Court of Human Rights, he said.

Meanwhile, in the corridors of the European Parliament, the word “outrageous” was being frequently used in informal gatherings discussing the events.

A Parliamentary Question to the European Commission regarding Moldova and LGBT rights is expected to be tabled, UK Gay News understands.

SEE ALSO

Moldovan Police Stand Accused of Letting Protestors Highjack Bus Carrying Gay Pride Participants.  A ruling of the Moldovan Supreme Court and the provisions of the European Human Rights Convention, which Moldova signed, were set aside by Chisinau police who stood to one side and let extremist religious groups, members of the neo-fascist movement, “New Right”, and legionnaires prevent today’s “Gay Pride” from going ahead. (UK Gay News, May 11, 2008)

Chisinau Mayor Bans Gay Pride on Eve of Parade.  Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca has banned the Gay Pride parade in the Moldovan capital.  The parade, part of “Rainbow over the Dniester” is scheduled to take place on Sunday (May 11).  (UK Gay News, May 9, 2008)

Chisinau Authorities OK Gay Pride Parade for First Time.  Organisers of the Gay Pride in Moldova – “Rainbow over the Dniester” – are hopeful of being able to stage a parade this year in the country’s capital, Chisinau.  (UK Gay News, May 6, 2008)

Victory Claimed by Gays in Moldova at Chisinau ‘Pride’.  Organisers of the Moldova ‘Gay Pride’ – Rainbow over the Dniester – have claimed a victory over the Chisinau city authorities. (UK Gay News, May 3, 2007)

LINK

website

Moldovan LGBT NGO GenderDoc-M website (English)

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Posted: 3 May 2008 at 18:00 (UK time)