A journalist's arrest is never a good sign, EU Special Representative for Moldova Kalman Mizsei

Kalman Mizsei, the Special Representative of the European Union for Moldova, is very concerned about the arrest of journalist Ernest Vardanyan by the authorities of the unrecognized Transnistrian republic. The European official has told Info-Prim Neo that “the arrest of a journalist is never a good sign”. According to him, this case raises specific concerns about the respect for Human Rights principles. “Ernest Vardanyan should be able to contact his family; he should also be able to choose his lawyer and be present or be represented during pre trial detention hearings. Furthermore, I would like to stress that preventive detention should be limited and should be done only in relation to concrete offences”. Kalman Mizsei confirmed that this case was discussed during the recent visit of Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Victor Osipov to Brussels. “Mr. Osipov, during his meetings with EU officials laid stress on the violation of Human Rights principles in Transnistria and underlined the case of the arrest of Ernest Vardanyan. EU officials shared with Mr. Osipov their deep concerns about the arrest of the journalist”. Asked to comment on what the 3+2 talks actors, including the European Union, do to help release Ernest Vardanyan, Ambassador Kalman Mizsei said: “Some members of the 3+2 format underlined already their concerns about the arrest of Ernest Vardanyan and called for international Human rights principles to be respected. A statement was issued by the EU where we recalled our concerns, that human rights and fundamental rights of detainees should be respected, but also that detention of individuals on the basis that they are considered as undesirable by those exercising power constitutes a violation of human rights.” We really hope this mistake will be straightened out soon.” Kalman Mizsei thinks this case might have an impact on the negotiation process. “True confidence building can only happen on the basis of respect for human rights and human dignity. It is in everyone's interest to re-establish Ernest Vardanyan's elementary rights. This also applies to other inhabitants of the region - human prosperity can only emerge when fear does not dictate. We trust that politicians in Transnistria are aware of this”, Ambassador Kalman Mizsei has told Info-Prim Neo.