The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Moldova guilty in a case of domestic violence and ordered that it pay over €17,000 damages and court costs to a woman. This is the third case of domestic violence in which Moldova is convicted by the ECHR.

The plaintiff is a woman who had been regularly assaulted by her husband while they were married. Her husband became involved in gambling, didn’t have a stable workplace and accumulated debts. In 2010, the woman filed for divorce. The man became more aggressive. The woman complained to the police and the man was fined administratively. The man continued to assault the woman and their daughter, fact that was confirmed by medical reports. The protection order asked for by the plaintiff in 2011 was issued with a delay of 10 days and was later annulled by the judge. As a result, the police were unable to intervene and take the assailant out of the common dwelling.

According to the ECHR, the authorities’ failure to protect the plaintiff against domestic violence and the fact that it does not appropriately assess the gravity and magnitude of the given problem shows a discriminatory attitude to women, who are victims of domestic violence.

Promo-LEX lawyer Alexandru Postica, who represented the plaintiff at the ECHR, has told IPN that the situation concerning domestic violence in Moldova has improved, including owing to these convictions that make the judges and police officers more attentive.

The first two convictions for domestic violence against Moldova were issued in 2013.