Church pressures Moldova's government to repeal antidiscrimination laws
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 June 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Church pressures Moldova's government to repeal antidiscrimination laws, 21 June 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/51d6caff9.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 21, 2013
By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service
Residents look out from the doorway of their home as LGBT supporters pass during a march for human rights in downtown Chisinau in May.
CHISINAU – Moldova's Orthodox Church says it has banned government officials from taking Holy Communion because of their stance on gay rights.
In a statement issued after Orthodox leaders met in Chisinau, the church said on June 21 that it would call for nationwide protests unless the government amended a law protecting homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgender people from discrimination.
The church also wants new laws against what it calls "immoral propaganda" and a ban on "homosexual, lesbian, transsexual, bisexual, pedophilic, zoophilic, incestuous, and perverse behavior."
Earlier this week, the Council of Europe's Venice Commission ruled that a Russian law against "homosexual propaganda," as well as similar local laws in Ukraine and Moldova, are illegal and should be repealed.
Moldova's Orthodox Church is formally subordinated to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
