The Council of Europe joined forces with the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV) in the Republic of Moldova, to provide a common platform for discussion between state authorities and civil society organisations on LGBTI rights.  

The event was organised as a follow-up to the regional conference held in Sarajevo in November 2024, and initiated  discussion with key actors on the existing policies and strategies to prevent and combat domestic violence faced by LGBTI persons, the provision of social and psychological support services, including safe spaces and shelters for victims at national level.  

As the intolerance against LGBTI community manifests in complex and varied ways, the dialogue with key actors contributes to development of measures and practices to counter discrimination and hatred. Diversity in sexual orientations, gender identities and sex characteristics needs to be considered by policy makers and law enforcement agencies in their activities and actions.

The Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, Falk LANGE, highlighted the importance of inclusive approach while intolerance against LGBTI persons is on rise across Europe and all over the world.

To ensure an effective response to these challenges, close collaboration between state institutions and civil society is needed. The Council of Europe will continue to support these efforts through ongoing projects and strategic partnerships to advance reforms in this area."

In her turn, the Director General of ANPCV, Viorica TIMBALARI, reiterated the institution's commitment to protecting human rights and combating any form of violence and discrimination.

The Istanbul Convention, which we are implementing at national level, establishes a clear framework: any form of violence must be condemned, and the protection of victims must be guaranteed, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or other status. Intersectional discrimination amplifies the risks of violence, and our response must be tailored and inclusive. It is essential to strengthen social support mechanisms, develop effective public policies and involve all relevant actors to guarantee a safe environment for all."

The meeting resulted in identification of needs and further activities, such as capacity building, awareness raising initiatives, and advancing the cooperation platform between state authorities and CSOs, to ensure improvements in line with Council of Europe standards and best practices at the regional level. The conclusions and recommendations shared by participants will also contribute to the development of more efficient public policies and strategies for sustainable protection of LGBTI persons in the Republic of Moldova.

This event is part of the programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”