Dubasari District became the third district to join the project "Enhancing diversity and equality in the Republic of Moldova", by signing on 22 August a Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and Dubasari District Council.

Dubasari is among four selected districts to benefit from assistance in the creation and piloting a support network to protect vulnerable groups from hatred and hate-motivated violence at local level.

The Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, Marius Ciprian Toth, welcomed the openness of the local authorities to join the other partner districts - Soroca and Calarasi which have already signed the MoUs.

The support network to be established, will consist of local authorities, social protection specialists, police officers, medical staff that will work together to enhance community cohesion, increase public awareness and improve the response to hate crime in coordination with specialised civil society organisations.

Regardless of their physical features or identity, citizens of the Republic of Moldova must enjoy the same rights and freedoms. This is the basis for building a prosperous and democratic society. 

The Memorandum contributes to the safety and respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms in the Dubasari District. It is in line with the Republic of Moldova's international commitments regarding its non-discrimination policy and efforts to respect human rights at European standards.

Through its actions, the project is providing support to address the recommendations and conclusions of the European Commission’s Opinion against Racism and Intolerance on the Republic of Moldova, as well as other European relevant standards in the field of equality.

The final beneficiaries of this initiative are vulnerable communities affected by discrimination, hate crime and hate speech in the Republic of Moldova, but also, the general population, benefiting from a more efficient response of authorities in addressing hate crimes.

The event is part of the Council of Europe Project ”Enhancing diversity and equality in the Republic of Moldova”,  implemented in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for 2021-2024 and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.