CIS is an impediment to human rights - expert

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is an impediment to furthering human rights in the post-soviet space, Paul Strutzescu, head of the League for the Defence of Human Rights of Moldova (LADOM), stated on Wednesday, April 26. According to Strutzescu, there were different initiatives, in particular to monitor and observe the election processes, but they were compromised by CIS organisations. At the same time, the expert stated that Moldova has a favourable position in terms of human rights as compared with the former soviet republics that are part of CIS. In his words, Moldova’s legislation, compared to that in other states in the region, is in a more advanced stage and has a higher level of compatibility with international treaties. Strutzescu also specified that a number of these reforms were implemented under the pressure and with the support of the International Community rather than driven by the Moldovan authorities’ volition. LADOM will publicise the next week a report regarding the observation of human rights in Moldova in 2006 and during the first quarter of this year.