Moldova has not fulfilled all its international human rights obligations

The Republic of Moldova is systematically delaying the presentation of reports to the UN and European organizations and this affects the image of the country at international level, says the evaluation study “Joining of International Human Rights Instruments and Fulfillment of the International Obligations in the Area”, which was presented at a meeting of the parliamentary commission on human rights on Wednesday, 18 July. The commission organized public hearings on human rights. The study was carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It says that the drawing up and presentation of reports and the transparence in the reporting process could contribute to the efficient implementation of the assumed international obligations. Therefore, Moldova would be trusted and regarded as a reliable partner by the international organizations. At the same time, the study points to a positive tendency in the process of adjusting the national legislation, especially for consolidating the human rights at national level. Aureliu Ciocoi, head of the Council of Europe and Human Rights Division of the Foreign Ministry, said that most of the measures for joining the international instruments stipulated in the National Human Rights Plan of Action have been implemented. Some of the actions are under implementation and the others will be crossed off or cancelled. Among these is the ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The Foreign Ministry proposes postponing its ratification owing to its political sensitiveness. Stefan Secareanu, chairman of the parliamentary commission, said that Moldova’s credibility and image depend on the way in which the existent problems will be solved. Speaking about the objections formulated by the UNDP, he said that these are justified and the Government will be asked to remove all the existing shortcomings. The final conclusions of the commission will be included in a draft decision that will be worked out in the near future and will be brought up for discussion at one of the next meetings of the commission. The Parliament adopted the National Human Rights Plan of Action on 23 October 2003.