The human rights situation in the Transnistrian region in 2024 was marked by institutionalized abuses and a chronic climate of impunity. The right to liberty and security is seriously affected by the high rate of incarceration, which is 1.67 times higher than that on the right bank of the Nistru. The persons detained on the left bank of the Nistru are subjected to intimidation and physical abuse and do not have access to any mechanism through which they can complain about these abuses, shows Promo-LEX’s annual monitoring report that was presented at a roundtable meeting, IPN reports.
As regards freedom of movement, the Transnistrian institutions frequently use illegal barriers and an extensive network of checkpoints, which in 2024 consisted of 53 units. The Transnistrian administration obstructs the movement of thousands of citizens, including farmers, economic agents, journalists, teachers and students of high schools teaching in Romanian, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions. Also, the representatives of civil society, writers and journalists are treated as "undesirable", noted Promo-LEX.
Promo-LEX executive director Ion Manole said "the process of settling the Transnistrian conflict must ensure respect for human rights in the region and is a common responsibility, both of the constitutional authorities and of civil society, international partners and the whole society."
"We are aware that the data, information and cases included in the report are not complete and that, in reality, the number of abuses is much higher. Unfortunately, due to the lack of physical access to the region, conducting a comprehensive assessment of the human rights situation in all areas is extremely difficult," stated Ion Manole.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian said that the issue of human rights is a painful one for both banks of the Nistru, noting that "the Transnistrian region is a special case as this territory is under the occupation of the de facto administration of the Russian Federation, and the constitutional authorities do not have access to the region." "Thus, the population of the region is constantly confronted with the violation of fundamental rights and freedoms," said Oleg Serebrian.
Ombudsman Ceslav Panico underlined the importance of continuing the human rights monitoring actions on the left bank of the Nistru, given that "the standards applied in institutions in the region are lower than those set by the UN, the Council of Europe and the Republic of Moldova".
Soros Foundation Moldova executive director Daniela Vidaicu welcomed the efforts made by the Promo-LEX Association and stressed the importance of the partnership between the attending organizations and institutions in promoting and protecting human rights in the Transnistrian region.
The report includes four thematic chapters and covers the right to liberty and security, the right not to tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way, the freedom of movement and the right to education.
