Open Letter to Moldovan Parliament: “Adopt the anti-discrimination law”
The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova is currently examining a bill on anti-discrimination. The draft law would forbid discrimination on several grounds, including sex and sexual orientation. Following the inflammatory visit of a US evangelical trying to discredit the bill, Members of the European Parliament have written to Moldovan MPs, urging them to adopt the law.
To: Members of the Parliament, Parlamentul Republicii Moldova
Concerns: Support for an inclusive anti-discrimination law
Brussels, 22nd March 2011
Dear Member of Parliament,
We are very pleased to learn that an inclusive anti-discrimination bill prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of religion, nationality, ethnic origin, language, colour, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, political opinion and social status is currently under consideration by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. Such a bill will greatly improve the social inclusion of vulnerable groups, among which lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
Equality and non-discrimination are fundamental values to the European Union. EU law indeed contains provisions against discrimination at all levels, including in binding European Treaties and Directives (for example in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, or in the EU employment framework directive of 2000). These texts prohibit discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. We applaud new draft legislation in Moldova in this area, which brings Moldova closer to the laws and values of the European Union and forms an important part of the Moldova-EU agreement action plan (including the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2004-2008 adopted by Parliament, as well as the EU-Moldova visa roadmap which specifically mentions non‑discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation).
The relevance and necessity of adopting this bill cannot be underestimated, and we collegially urge the Moldovan Parliament to adopt it, without any amendments undermining international and European legal anti-discrimination standards for all of the aforementioned grounds.
We are convinced the adoption of an inclusive anti-discrimination law will reflect favourably upon the relationship between Moldova and the EU in the context of the EU neighbourhood policy.
Yours sincerely,
Marije Cornelissen MEP, Greens/EFA
Michael Cashman MEP, S&D
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Greens/EFA
Sophie In’t Veld MEP, ALDE
Rui Tavares MEP, GUE/NGL
Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP, EPP
Raül Romeva i Rueda MEP, Greens/EFA
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