No progress had been made in 2014 in ensuring the observance of human rights in Moldova. Despite the initiated reforms and the adoption of normative documents aimed at improving the situation in the field, the process of implementing these reforms was rather formal, says the report “Human Rights in Moldova – Retrospective of 2014” that was presented by “Promo-LEX” Association. The study, carried out by experts of eight NGOs, shows that the situation of human rights worsened in parts compared with the previous years, IPN reports.
“Promo-LEX” program director Pavel Postica said a large number of cases of torture have been examined inappropriately. Last year the law enforcement bodies received over 600 complaints about the use of torture, but legal action was taken in only 118 of the cases, even if bodily injuries were attested in 250 of the cases. However, there were also witnessed positive aspects, especially as regards the conviction of those who used torture. Nobody was punished over such a case in 2012, while in 2014 the number of convictions rose to 12.
Expert of the Legal Resources Center of Moldova Sorina Macrinici said the right to a fair trial is not always respected. Among the most serious problems identified in 2014 were the often postponement of court hearings and the repeated reexamination of cases. The security of the judicial relations was negatively affected by the unlawful quashing of irrevocable civil court decisions by the Supreme Court.
As to domestic violence, the report says the legal framework is implemented inappropriately and should be adjusted to the European standards on the prevention and combating of domestic violence.
According to the report, the measures taken by the administration of the Transnistrian region reduced to a minimum the expression of critical opinions about the local authorities. The persecution of the human rights defenders in the region for the simple stating of opinions in public and participation in public events shows that the secessionist administration does not accept any criticism on the part of the population. The right to association in the region is also limited, while the public associations and the groups of activists are monitored by the security bodies of Transnistria.
The sixth report of the kind was compiled within the project “Protection and monitoring of the human rights in the Republic of Moldova, including the Transnistrian region”, which is implemented by “Promo-LEX” with support from the Civil Rights Defenders, with the funds of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
