Назад Improving dialogue between Police and the LGBTI community in the Republic of Moldova

Improving dialogue between Police and the LGBTI community in the Republic of Moldova

A platform for dialogue was created between Police and civil society organisations that promote the rights of LGBTI community in the Republic of Moldova. The meeting brought together 21 officers of the General Police Inspectorate and 19 representatives of civil society organisations, and strengthened communication and building trust process between Police and the LGBTI community.

Discussions focused on legal protection mechanisms to combat hate speech and hate crimes, as well as the challenges, stereotypes, prejudices, and obstacles faced by LGBTI persons in society. The difficulties experienced by LGBTI persons when addressing law enforcement officers were presented with the objective to encourage further the reporting of discrimination and bias-motivated offences.

The meeting highlighted the need for strategies that consider societal diversity and the experiences of those facing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics.

The platform created during this meeting will facilitate further exchanges in the future between the police and civil society organisations representing LGBTI persons on hate speech and hate crimes and provide solutions. The meeting also identified the need for further reforms in addressing discrimination and hate speech, along with continued awareness-raising initiatives to promote equal treatment and combat discrimination, stigmatisation and hatred.

The work of the Council of Europe in the Republic of Moldova on non-discrimination and hate speech relies on European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recommendations, in particular Recommendation No 17 on preventing and combating intolerance and discrimination against LGBTI persons, European Court of Human Rights case law and Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

This event was organised in co-operation with the General Police Inspectorate, Information Centre GENDERDOC-M, in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for 2021-2024 and the projects: ”Enhancing diversity and equality in the Republic of Moldova”  funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; ,,Promoting non-discrimination in the Republic of Moldova’’ and the EU/Council of Europe project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”, part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova 28 May 2024
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Strasbourg, France Strasbourg, 1-2 July 2024
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Addressing hate speech and hate crime: regional gathering of the network of Equality Bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region

A two-day workshop on addressing hate speech and hate crime took place at the premises of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, involving Equality bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions.  The event supported by the EU and Council of Europe, gathered 50 representatives from both regions who discussed and exchanged on the best practices, measures and common challenges when addressing hate speech and hate crime. Through monitoring and reporting, policy advocacy, raising awareness and supporting victims equality bodies play a fundamental role in protecting human rights and ensuring that all individuals are treated equally.

In her opening remarks, Angela Longo, Head of Anti-discrimination Co-operation Unit, Council of Europe, underlined the significant progress in engaging with Equality Bodies through this network, regularly exchanging best practices and addressing the challenges of hatred and intolerance in societies. She highlighted that this new chapter of discussion delves into the grey area between hate speech and hate crime, addressing issues of incitement and biases,

Representatives from Equality Bodies had the opportunity to discuss and enhance their knowledge on the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers Recommendation to member States on combating hate crime, adopted on 7th May 2024, as well as gain a clearer understanding of EU standards in the field of hate crime. Moreover, participants engaged in exchanges with peers from the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), who shared insights on addressing hate speech in the public discourse. The National Office Against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) in Italy provided practical examples for developing counter-narratives and raising awareness initiatives.

They also explored opportunities to advocate for legislative reform, foster multisectoral co-operation, enhance data collection, and overall improve national mechanisms to counter hate crimes.

This seminar was organised within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans” and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies” – co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe  under the joint Programmes “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance”.

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