Veterans demand clear steps to protect human rights

The Association of the 1992 War Veterans “Tiras-Tighina” demands that the Moldovan Government take clear steps to protect human rights which are infringed by the Transnistrian unconstitutional authorities. The Association’s members held a pres conference to call on civil society organizations to join forces and defend the rights of people in Transnistria, and to free those jailed illegally in Transnistria, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Tiras-Tighina leader, Anatolie Caraman, for 20 years Moldovan authorities have not undertaken anything of note to stop the abuses and crimes of “imperialist” forces on the eastern bank of the Nistru River. The Association demands the Government to revise the 1992 ceasefire agreement with Russia, and to replace the Russian peacekeeping troops with international ones. Further, the Russian forces should retreat unconditionally as being an occupation army. “The Ministry of the Interior, the Security and Intelligence Service must find everyone who enrolled in unconstitutional forces and committed crimes against people and the state. They must be prosecuted, sentenced and international arrest warrants must be issued against them”, said Caraman. The veterans demand the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to stop issuing passports to members of Transnistrian forces or government. Furthermore, Moldova must apply severe restrictions against the Tiraspol regime, in order to prevent it from having relationships with any other countries. Sergiu Tataru, deputy chairman of the Association, said that since March 3, protests were organized at the Russian Embassy against arrests in Transnistria. Tataru called upon veterans to join and free all the illegally detained Moldovans in Transnistria. Mihai Cibotari, president of the Association of Romanian Writers, told the press that civil society must put pressure on the government to ensure the democratization of the region. The Association said they would continue protests at the Russian Embassy until “concrete measures are taken”. On March 2, Transnistrian militia arrested and detained the mayor of Corjova and a local councilor for carrying the Moldovan flag and for resisting arrest.