The parliamentary commission of inquiry into cases of demolition and damaging of historical monuments will propose creating the National Institute of Historical Monuments. The commission’s chairman Ghenadie Ciobanu has told IPN that among the institute’s duties will be to produce inventories, to create passports for the monuments protected by the state and to design pilot-projects for restoring them.

The commission will also request Parliament to adopt amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses so as to toughen up the penalties for breaking the law on the protection of monuments. Currently, the private individuals are fined 800 to 1,400 lei, while the legal entities – 2,000 to 4,000 lei.

According to the commission, the state budget should contain a separate division with finances for restoring historical monuments. A mechanism should be worked out to provide tax concessions to the owners of historical monuments so that they restore and protect them.

Ghenadie Ciobanu said the analysis made by them showed that some of the Parliament’s powers concerning the protection of monuments are taken over by the authorities or courts of law. As a result, some of the buildings are demolished. In the case of the building located at 2 Schusev St in Chisinau, the court annulled the protection regime instituted by Parliament for this construction, though it didn’t have the right to do so. Also, even if no court has the right to decide demolishing a monument of national importance, there are cases when the courts take such decisions.

The commission also recommends updating the Register of State-Protected Monuments by dividing it into three particular sections: National Archeological Register, National Register of Public Monuments, and National Register of Historical Monuments.

Since the declaration of independence, no person has been punished for demolishing monuments in Moldova.