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On 20 June 2016, Equal Rights Trust and Promo-LEX Association launched the Report “FROM WORDS TO DEEDS Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Moldova”. The full event can be watched here.

The purpose of this Report is to highlight and assess discrimination and inequality in the Republic of Moldova and to recommend steps aimed at combating discrimination and promoting equality. The Report explores long-recognised human rights problems, while also seeking to shed light upon certain patterns of discrimination.

Alexandru Postica, Director of the Human Rights Program of Promo-LEX Association stated: “The Report reflects the realities of the country in the area of discrimination and inequality. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is present in Moldova and affects a large number of the population: women, persons with disabilities, racial, ethnic, linguistic minorities, LGBT community, older persons, people living with HIV and TB, etc. There are numerous patterns of discrimination in Moldova, some of them are more obvious, others more hidden and less noticeable, but all of them have adverse effects on the quality of life of thousands of people.”

“We hope that through this effort we will bring something distinct and complementary compared to other similar publications and namely a comprehensive picture with regard to ensuring the right to equality and non-discrimination in Moldova.  The conclusions and recommendations of the Report are based on the analysis of lived experience of discrimination combined with exhaustive review of national legislation and policies, including in terms of international obligations”, Jim Fitzgerald, Head of Advocacy at Equal Rights Trust, said.

”This Report is especially important in terms of monitoring the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation. To achieve positive results in preventing and combating discrimination it is necessary to involve both public authorities and civil society, by conducting proactive activities: supporting the victims of discrimination, monitoring the implementation of public policies, conducting awareness-raising campaigns or joint trainings”, Olga Bulmaga, Head of Administrative Office of the Council on the Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination and Ensuring Equality, said.

One of the main conclusions of the Report concerns the discrepancy between the legislation in the area and the provisions against discrimination and reality in the Republic of Moldova, in particular the actions of the authorities to implement these legal provisions.

The Report contains a range of recommendations, including strengthening the international commitments on equality, constitutional and legislative reform in the area, enforcement of the legislation on ensuring equality and other laws aimed at prohibiting discrimination. In addition, the recommendations refer to the implementation of national policies and education on equality.

The electronic version of the Report is available here.

The event was organized under the Project “Strengthening civil society organizations from Moldova, including the Transnistrian region, to combat discrimination through advocacy actions”. The Project is implemented by the Equal Rights Trust and Promo-LEX Association and funded by the European Union.

For more details, please contact: Carolina Bondarciuc, Promo-LEX Press Officer: GSM 069637849, Tel/Fax (+373 22) 450024, e-mail: [email protected]