Observance of detainees’ rights still a problem for authorities

The number of decisions passed by the ECHR against Moldova has decreased and this points to progress. However, problems continue to be encountered with the ensuring of the observance of prisoner’s rights on both banks of the Nistru and of the right to a fair trial. Deputy Minister of Justice Vladimir Grosu has told Info-Prim Neo that the number of ECHR decisions against Moldova has declined over the last 2-3 years to about 20 cases a year, from 50 cases earlier. “Among the most serious problems is the right to a fair trial, namely the acceptance of applications to review the case and the securing of legal relations. They are rather cvasi-systemic problems that can be solved not during several months, but during several years,” he stated. As to the observance of the rights of the Transnistrian prisoners, the deputy minister said it is the responsibility of the Moldovan Government as the Transnistrian administration will be never able to deal with the cases of torture in penitentiary institutions without the involvement of the central authorities. Vladimir Grosu also said that considerable investment is needed in the infrastructure of penitentiary institutions. “Unfortunately, we cannot afford capital investments in the construction of a fully new penitentiary institution. Anyway, investment is made in the modernization of boiler rooms, insulation of windows, change of roofs. Such works were performed in 10 institutions of the kind of the 17 existing in Moldova,” explained Vladimir Grosu. In the same connection, Ion Guzun, program coordinator at the Legal Resources Center, said that the ECHR described the detention conditions, especially in Penitentiary No. 13, as inhuman. “We cannot speak about an economic power that would enable to create European conditions from state resources. Why do the judges issue arrest warrants when the penitentiaries lack minimum detention conditions? Thus, many people complain to the ECHR about the violation of the human rights,” he stated. Specialists’ opinions were presented in a meeting of the commission for implementing the National Action Plan on Human Rights for 2011-2014.