ECHR to examine two more cases initiated against Moldova

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will examine on Tuesday, February 27, two cases: “True Orthodox Church in Moldova vs. Moldova” and “Moldova-Hidromas vs. Moldova”. In the first case, the applicants are ten Moldovan nationals, who live in Bilicenii Vechi village, and who joined together to form the “True Orthodox Church in Moldova”. The application concerns the Moldovan authorities’ refusal to register the church. Relying on Articles 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 13 (right to an effective remedy) of the Convention, the applicants complain about the failure of the authorities to register their church, and that they had no effective remedy available to them. They also rely on Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property). In the second case, “Moldova-Hidromas” accuses the state of violating art. 6 § 1 (right to a fair hearing) and art. 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property). Moldova has been sentenced in 50 cases at ECHR so far.