National

In 2008, the criminal code provided -

Article 174, Sexual intercourse with a person under the age of sixteen (16) years

(1) Sexual intercourse other than rape as well as any other acts of vaginal or anal penetration committed with a person certainly known to be under the age of 16 shall be punished by imprisonment for up to 5 years.

(2) The person who committed the act set forth in par. (1) shall not be subject to criminal liability if he/she is similar to the victim in terms of age and physical and mental development. [R1.2].

On 11 March 2012, lawmakers were reported to have voted to punish sexual assault against children under the age of 15 with compulsory "chemical castration." In addition, the law makes the treatment – which involves the injection of drugs that reduce testosterone levels and, hence, sexual desire – permissible on a case-by-case basis in cases of rape [R1.1].

Cities & Towns

On 23 February 2012, the Balti City Council announced it had voted 23–12 in favor of the law to prohibit 'aggressive propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientations', effectively banning public discussion of LGBT issues [R1.2].

Balti is reported to be one of at least three Moldovan municipalities to pass such laws [R1.1].

See: 2. Courts & Tribunals below.

Courts & Tribunals

On 28 February 2013, the Balti Court of Appeals struck down a local ban on what authorities had referred to as "homosexual propaganda" ruling that the ban was unconstitutional and violated human rights [R2.3].

On 12 June 2012, European Court of Human Rights in Genderdoc-M v. Republic of Moldova ruled Moldova in violation of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for banning gay campaigners from holding a peaceful protest outside the country's parliament, awarding damages and costs [C2.2], [R2.1].

National

On 27 December 2012, a Bill to protect minorities including the LGBT community, from discrimination in the workplace sets fines of up to 9,000 Moldovan lei (£464, $750) and for discrimination leading to death or suicide, a prison sentence of up to six years may be imposed (it being unclear if this applies to sexual minorities). The bill has yet to pass the third and final reading and be signed into law [R1.6].

On 10 September 2012, an Amensty International report called for urgent changes to laws to combat high levels of anti-gay persecution and discrimination against HIV positive people [D1.5], [R1.4].

On 25 May 2012, Moldova adopted a new equality law but “sexual orientation” is not explicitly mentioned in the list of grounds of discrimination covered by the law, apart from in relation to discrimination in the workplace – although it might fall under the wording of 'any other similar grounds' [R1.3]. The law is due to come into force 01 January 2013 [R1.4].

On 06 Oc tober 2011, Dirk Schuebel, head of the EU delegation to Moldova, was reported to have urged Moldova to pass an antidiscrimination bill that would protect homosexuals and other minorities if it wants progress on talks for visa-free travel to the EU. The government withdrew the antidiscrimination bill from parliament earlier in the year [R1.2].

In February 2011, a draft antidiscrimination law was submitted to the parliament. The bill would, if passed, outlaw discrimination against anyone on the basis of religion, nationality, ethnic origin, language, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, political opinion, or social status. It was proposed as part of Moldova's effort to gain an association agreement with the European Union [R1.1].

National

In September 2008, Modova was one of several countries reportedly restricting short-term travel for individuals living with HIV [R1.1].

National

On 15 June 1995, male homosexuality was made lawful, Penal Code Article 106 having been abolished by the parliament [R1.1].