The phenomenon of torture is still present in Moldova, but the state institutions show readiness to reduce it. In this context, the Center for Human Rights, Promo-LEX Association and the Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims “Memoria” during a month will carry out a campaign to support the victims of torture and to prevent this phenomenon. The campaign will include over 25 activities that will be carried out all over the country. It is staged on the occasion of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture that is marked on June 26.
Olga Vacarciuc, adviser to ombudsman Anatolie Munteanu, told a news conference at IPN that the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family does not fully admit to the existence of problems in the psychical-neurological hospitals. The people there continue to be subject to inhuman and degrading treatment and this is worrisome.
“Such problems as the inappropriate detention conditions, medical assistance of a poor quality and insufficient training of the personnel remain unsolved in the penitentiary system. Penitentiary No. 13 in Chisinau together with Penitentiary No. 17 in Rezina and Penitentiary No.11 in Balti represent the most vulnerable points of the national penitentiary system,” said Olga Vacarciuc.
Promo-LEX jurist Vadim Vieru said the right not to be subject to torture and inhuman and degrading treatment is not guaranteed in the Transnistrian region. The conditions in prisons there do not meet the minimum detention standards, while the food is of a bad quality and contains warms and litter. The prisoners in Transnistria do not have access to appropriate medical services and there are no real possibilities of reporting acts of torture.
“Memoria” executive director Ludmila Popovici said that every year on June 26 civil society, government and the ordinary people are urged to take measures to prevent the use of torture. This year the campaign will have the slogan: “Torture victims have the right to rehabilitation. Let's make it a reality!”. Ludmila Popovici stated that the rehabilitation and support of the victims is an indispensable component of the prevention and combating of torture.
The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture has been observed since June 26, 1997 when there were marked ten years of the adoption of the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and Punishment.
