UN recommendations are welcome for Moldova, Sergiu Ostaf

The preliminary recommendations and conclusions of the UN Special Rapporteur Heiner Bielfeldt as regards the freedom of religion or belief in Moldova are welcome for the Moldovan society, considers Sergiu Ostaf, director of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CreDO), Info-Prim Neo reports. “We regret that some of the representatives of the administration of the Orthodox Church continue to narrowly interpret the conclusions and recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur,” Sergiu Ostaf said in a news conference on September 15. The conference was organized in reaction to a press briefing where the Bishop of Balti and Falesti Marchel asked public apologies from Heiner Bielfeldt and threatened that large-scale protests will be staged if the Ministry of Justice insists on amending the Law on Denominations. Sergiu Ostaf said Bishop Marcel is wrong when he attacks the Special Rapporteur, not the idea. The representatives of the Resource Center for Human Rights, the Human Rights Information Center and the Moldova Institute for Human Rights expressed regret at the actions taken to constrain the freedom of religion, describing them as populist and senseless that show lack of understanding of the international standards and practices. Sergiu Ostaf voiced hope that the Ministry of Justice will not yield to the demands of the church and will thoroughly analyze the benefits of adopting the Nondiscrimination Law and of amending the Law on Denominations. A report on the freedom of religion in Moldova will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council next March. In a news conference held at the end of his visit to Chisinau on September 8, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Heiner Bielfeldt said implementation of human rights standards ranks high on the Government’s agenda, and significant progress has been made. Remaining obstacles mainly derive from the overly predominant position of the Orthodox Church. “With a view to further improving the conditions for a non-discriminatory enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief by everyone, what seems to be needed, above all, is a public culture of appreciating diversity,” he said.