Legal system in Moldova is in crisis, study

Moldova’s legal system is in crisis, while the people do not trust the law enforcement bodies, director of the Law Program of Soros Foundation Moldova Victor Munteanu told Info-Prim Neo, stating a general conclusion of the study of victimization in Moldova. The study shows that few victims report abuses to the police. One in ten or even twelve cases is reported, depending on the crime. The number of sexual abuses is on the rise, but these offenses are the least reported. The study shows that the people do no have much confidence in the police and the legal system. The work of the police is criticized, especially by the respondents who had to do with the police. Over 2/3 of those questioned believe that the crime rate has increased in the last five years or remained at the same level. Each third respondent considers that the committed offenses are more violent, said the national expert involved in the study Ludmila Malcoci. As regards corruption, most of those polled said that they had to pay bribe to budget-funded medical employees or teachers. In 2009, out of 30% of the population at least one functionary asked bribe. More than 3,000 persons were questioned within the study in March –April 2010. The study was analyzed by foreign expert Jean Redpath and national expert Laudmila Malcoci, with the assistance of a Moldovan analysis and research group set up by Soros Foundation Moldova.