A session of the Moldovan parliament has been thwarted by dozens of Orthodox priests and believers who blocked the entrance to the Palace of the Republic in Chisinau.
The Orthodox faithful -- joined by dozens of opposition Communist lawmakers -- were protesting possible amendments to Moldova's Code of Administrative Offices that they say would remove punishments for so-called "homosexual propaganda."
The parliament had been scheduled to discuss a European Union-backed law on nondiscrimination that would guarantee the rights of Moldova's gay citizens. If adopted, the law would contradict Moldova's existing legislation, which envisages penalties for the propagation of extramarital or homosexual relations.
Chisinau hopes to be offered an EU Association Agreement at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius next month.
The Orthodox faithful -- joined by dozens of opposition Communist lawmakers -- were protesting possible amendments to Moldova's Code of Administrative Offices that they say would remove punishments for so-called "homosexual propaganda."
The parliament had been scheduled to discuss a European Union-backed law on nondiscrimination that would guarantee the rights of Moldova's gay citizens. If adopted, the law would contradict Moldova's existing legislation, which envisages penalties for the propagation of extramarital or homosexual relations.
Chisinau hopes to be offered an EU Association Agreement at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius next month.
