NGOs demand ensuring security of LGBT parade participants

A number of nongovernmental organizations that form part of the Nondiscrimination Coalition ask the authorities to take active measures to guarantee the sexual minorities' freedom of expression and the right to assembly, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference on April 26, Dana Cotici, consultant with the Nondiscrimination Coalition, said the police is obliged to ensure the security of the persons who want to protest peacefully. “This fundamental human right must be respected. The Chisinau City Hall must take into account the fact that the law is for everyone and it should not permit protests selectively. It must make sure that they are held peacefully. If altercations happen, it must be ready to calm things down,” said Dana Cotici. On March 23, the association GenderDoc-M, a member of the Nondiscrimination Coalition, informed the City Hall that representatives of sexual minorities will stage a peaceful demonstration in the Great National Assembly Square on May 2, between 15.00 and 16.00. More than 30 days have passed, but the local authorities have not yet provided an answer and have not assumed responsibility for ensuring the protection of the participants, as the law requires, said Angela Frolov, assistant of the program Lobby and Advocacy of GenderDoc-M. “We were summoned to appear at the Court of Appeals on April 28 at 10.00, where it will be decided if the parade will take place or not. If the association is banned from staging the parade, the organizers will appeal the decision to a higher court and to the ECHR,” Agnela Frolov said. Hyde Park head Parascovia Topada said the sexual minorities are subject to threats and violence and should be thus protected. “We will lodge an application with the Prosecutor General's Office and the General Police Commissariat and demand that they punish those who incite violence and hatred,” Parascovia Topada said. Sergiu Ostaf, the executive director of CreDO, said Moldova must guarantee the rights of every person who wants to express oneself freely at peaceful events, if it declares its European aspirations. The police must protect the minorities by forming a chain around them. “The police officers know how to behave in such situations. They must protect the peaceful participants from aggressive persons who want to hinder the demonstrations,” said Sergiu Ostaf. The announced LGBT parade aroused controversy. A political party said the event must be held in Valea Morilor Park, not in Chisinau's central square. In 2008 the sexual minorities were mistreated by representatives of religious organizations and passersby, while in 2009 they gave up staging the parade. The Nondiscrimination Coalition brings together 24 public associations.