A number of civil society organizations consider the forced expulsion of the Turkish citizens at the start of this September was based on political interests and was done with violations of the national legislation and international treaties no human rights. One month after the expulsion, authorities’ answers concerning the legality of such a decision continue to generate questions.

The NGOs signed an appeal by which they demand that the Moldovan authorities should request the President of Turkey to bring back all the Turkish citizens who were illegally taken out of the Republic of Moldova and to prevent such situations in the future. The authorities should also give asylum and take other protection measures needed by the families of the expelled persons and other foreigners in similar situations, especially in connection with the visit paid by President Recep Tayyp Erdogan to Moldova during October 17-18, IPN reports, quoting the appeal.

The signatories also demand that the prosecutor general should take legal action to hold accountable all those who committed illegalities related to the expulsion of the seven Turkish citizens and that Parliament should hold public hearings centering on this operation.

The appeal was signed by 18 organizations, namely: Legal Resources Center of Moldova; Amnesty International Moldova; Journalistic Investigation’s Center; Association for Efficient and Responsible Governance; Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”; Association “WatchDog.MD” Community; Transparency International Moldova, Institute for Public Policy; “Promo-Lex” Association; Independent Journalism Center; Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption; Association of Independent Press, Center for Policies and Reforms of Moldova, Information Center GENDERDOC-M; Law Center of Advocates; Partnership for Development Center; Institute for European Policies and Reforms, and Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”.