Ministry of Justice to examine complaints filed by Transnistrians

The EU demands that Moldova properly implement protocols No. 1 and No. 2 to the International Covenant on the Civil and Political Rights of 1996, including in the Transnistrian region. This is one of the conditions imposed for opening the talks over human rights with the EU, Minister of Justice Alexandru Tanase said in a meeting of the Government, Info-Prim Neo reports. “This is good suggestion, but it is hard to put it into practice as Moldova does not control this territory (Transnistria – e.n.). I must say that the European authorities made such approaches when the Convention on Humane Rights was being ratified. It is important that we clearly express our position during the talks on the Association Agreement,” Alexandru Tanase said. Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Victor Osipov said the people in the Transnistrian region often complain that the Moldovan constitutional authorities do not examine their complaints and do not take the necessary measures. “It is true that we have limited possibilities, but when the European Court of Human Rights examines applications submitted by Transnistrians, the Moldovan Government's refusal to examine their complaints is interpreted as unwillingness to do something for them,” Victor Osipov said. About 100 cases filed by residents of Transnistria are now pending at the ECHR. Most of them concern violations of human rights by the Transnistrian authorities. “The Ministry of Justice will asses the situation and examine the complaints so as to see what problems they face. This information could be used when working out strategies and plans for reunifying the country,” Alexandru Tanase said. “Even if we cannot yet intervene and solve the problems confronting the Transnistrian inhabitants, we must express our stance,” said Premier Vlad Filat.