The juvenile justice in the Transnistrian region is more punitive and less aimed at defending the children’s rights. Such a conclusion was reached by Miranda Merkviladze, who compiled a report on the issue, IPN reports.

According to a press release from “Promo-LEX” Association, the report reveals a series of problems related to the abusive and unjustified use of detention, including long-term, as a punishment method in most of the cases, even when the legislation de facto stipulates non-dentition measures. There is also a very limited range of alternative measures for minors.

The legal framework also does not specify the preventive detention period. Thus, there are committed many abuses. There is set no limit on the number of length of interrogations. There is no clarity as regards the interrogation methods. The de facto practice abusively and unjustifiably limits communication between the delinquent juveniles in detention and their families.

Miranda Merkviladze underlined that there are no nongovernmental organizations in Transnistria that would deal directly with juvenile justice. On the other hand, no Transnistrian human rights organization becomes involved in this issue.

The report was produced by the author in Moldova as part of the 2013 program of internships on human rights of the Open Society, within “Promo-LEX” Association.