Press briefing notesOffice of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Press briefing notes: Moldova / Anti-discrimination law
11 May 2012
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Acting Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani Location: Geneva Date: 11 May 2012
A comprehensive anti-discrimination law, which has been under preparation in Moldova since 2008, is currently being hotly debated in the country and pending consultations within the Government. We urge the Government of Moldova to act on its commitment to adopt this long-overdue legislation in conformity with obligations under international human rights law.
The law was one of the key elements raised by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay in her discussions with the Moldovan Government during her November 2011 visit to the country and featured strongly in the report of the Universal Periodic Review of Moldova, adopted in March this year.
One of the most contentious provisions of the law is that it will outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Given the hostility facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in Moldova, including hate speech by politicians and public officials, it is imperative that this provision remain in the law. As the High Commissioner has repeatedly stressed, acts of discrimination and violence against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people are violations of international human rights law and must be outlawed.
We welcome the active role of civil society in debating and promoting this draft law, which will also provide much-needed protection for groups such as the Roma community, religious minorities and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. We encourage the swift adoption of this comprehensive anti-discrimination law in Moldova.
ENDS
For more information or media requests, please contact press officers Ravina Shamdasani (+ 41 22 917 9310 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org) or Xabier Celaya (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org).
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