Complaints to Equality Council, Ombudsperson after controversial statements in Moldova's parliament; MP invokes hate speech

Lawmaker, the head of the Women MPs’ Platform Marcela Adam has submitted complaints to the Equality Council, the Ombudsperson and the General Police Inspectorate, following statements made during at a parliament meeting on July 28, which she describes as “a discourse of hatred, discrimination and moral degradation.” The MP also informed international institutions, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau.

Marcela Adam said that the remarks made in the parliament’s plenum by some opposition MPs were not merely an uncontrolled outburst or an episode of political dispute, but represent an overstepping of the limits of freedom of expression.

“It was not just a simple uncontrolled outburst, nor parliamentary political folklore. It was a discourse of hatred, discrimination and moral degradation and we must call things by their name,” Marcela Adam said.

The MP noted that freedom of expression cannot be invoked when messages are promoted that, in her view, lead to discrimination and intolerance.

“You cannot claim to defend citizens while humiliating people. You cannot speak about values, women and children, while promoting misogyny, homophobia and intolerance. You cannot invoke freedom of expression, when you turn the parliament’s rostrum into a platform for hatred,” the parliamentarian stressed.

According to her, the Ombudsperson has been asked to examine the statements in light of Moldova’s Constitution, which prohibits and sanctions incitement to discrimination.

At the same time, Marcela Adam asked the Equality Council to assess the situation under the Law on Ensuring Equality, which defines serious forms of discrimination and the responsibility of public authorities in this field.

The MP also informed the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, requesting an assessment of the situation in relation to European standards on preventing hate speech, promoting equality and strengthening a human rights culture.

“What we all need to understand is that a red line has been crossed, one that no one has the right to cross, not even those who confuse freedom of expression with the freedom to insult,” said Marcela Adam.

The MP also said that the parliament must not become a platform for messages of hatred and discrimination.

“We will not tolerate the transformation of Moldova’s parliament into a stage for misogyny, homophobia and discrimination. We will respond to hatred through the law and we will defend democratic values,” Marcela Adam concluded.

She added that she reserves the right to notify other institutions she deems necessary.

A draft law developed by the Justice Ministry, which transposes the European Union acquis in the field of equality and non-discrimination, has triggered harsh reactions among the parliamentary opposition.