Moldova lost another case at ECHR

On Tuesday, February 27, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned Moldova in a new case concerning the authorities’ refusal to register the “True Orthodox Church in Moldova”. 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. The Court found violations of the Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 13 (right to an effective remedy) and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property). For these violations, Moldovan Government must pay the plaintiffs EUR 10,000 for non-pecuniary and material damages and EUR 2,000 for court costs. As for the second case -”Moldova-Hidromas” vs Moldova, which was examined on Tuesday, the ECHR did not approve any decision. The Government and the applicant are to submit the observations related to the subject within three months. In this 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.