The Russian Federation is responsible for most of the cases regarding human rights violations in the Transnistrian region examined by the European Court of Human Rights over the past almost 22 years. According to an analysis presented by Promo-LEX, Moscow was convicted in 46 out of the 65 cases, IPN reports.
The analysis includes all ECHR judgments and decisions regarding the Transnistrian region, issued between 2004, when the judgment in the “Ilascu and Others” case was issued, and 2026.
The data presented by Promo-LEX shows that in approximately 71% of the cases, the Russian Federation was the only one convicted. In four cases, both Russia and the Republic of Moldova were sanctioned, two cases exclusively targeted Chisinau, and in three cases, Ukraine was involved as a third state.
The most frequent violations found by the ECHR concern the right to liberty, inhuman treatment and lack of a fair trial. In most cases, people were detained and sentenced by separatist structures without access to legal courts and without the possibility of a real defense.
Promo-LEX lawyer Vadim Vieru stated that most of the ECHR rulings were not executed by the Russian Federation, and the compensation established by the Court, which exceeds 6.4 million euros, did not reach the victims.
“In most cases, the Russian Federation is solely responsible for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region. Another finding is that most of the judgments, with the exception of the “Ilascu and others” case, have not been executed. It is important that the Government and the institutions of the Council of Europe find solutions for the execution of these judgments”, said Vadim Vieru.
The analysis also notes that the “Sandu and Others” case, examined in 2018, remains the largest collective case regarding the Transnistrian region. It concerned over 1,600 farmers from the localities of Dorotcaia, Parata, Molovata Noua, Pohrebea and Cocieri, who encountered problems in using agricultural land on the left bank of the Dniester.
Promo-LEX also draws attention to the fact that people who became victims of abuses in the region after September 16, 2022 can no longer file complaints with the ECHR against the Russian Federation, following its exclusion from the Council of Europe.
