Moldovan parliament considering ‘anti-propaganda’ bill
Last month, the Culture and Education Committee of the Moldovan Parliament approved a bill that seeks to ban ‘homosexual propaganda’, similar to the Russian anti-propaganda law of 2013.
The bill would impose fines for spreading “homosexual propaganda” to minors “through public meetings, the media, the Internet,” and other means.
The move comes shortly after a failed attempt to overturn antidiscrimination law, which outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment.
In 2013, Moldova briefly had an anti-propaganda law, which was annulled by the Parliament three months after its adoption.
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the Intergroup on LGBTI Rights, reacted: “Three years after the Moldovan Parliament annulled an anti-propaganda law, opportunistic politicians unfortunately again seek to scapegoat LGBTI people. This is very worrying.”
“However, as a European state cherishing European values of freedom, equality and non-discrimination, I am confident Moldova and the majority of her lawmakers, will resist the Russian-inspired anti-propaganda bill.”
Tanja Fajon MEP, Vice-President of the LGBTI Intergroup and part of the EU-Moldova delegation, reacted: “Although the content of the bill worries us, I am glad to see that there are politicians speaking out against the bill. It is simply unacceptable that people could be punished for sharing objective information about LGBTI issues.”
“As a fellow parliamentarian, I call on all Moldovan parliamentarians to join in speaking out against this bill, and stand up for the rights of the LGBTI community.”
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