ECHR rules Moldova discriminated against LGBT march organizers

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the Republic of Moldova discriminated against the organization Genderdoc-M by imposing restrictions on an LGBT Pride march held in Chisinau in 2013.

The court found that authorities failed to protect the right to peaceful assembly without discrimination. Specifically, the court noted that the repeated relocation of the march outside the city center, justified by authorities as a response to threats from counter-protesters, was not a valid reason to limit this right. The ruling emphasizes that the state has a positive obligation to take reasonable measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of legal assemblies, even when their messages are controversial.

As a result of this final decision, the Republic of Moldova is ordered to pay Genderdoc-M 4,500 euros in moral damages.