In connection with the large-scale protest set for August 26, a group of NGOs formulated a number of recommendations for the participants in such events.

A brochure with recommendations says the law protects anyone’s right to protest peacefully and no one can be intimidated or persecuted for protesting peacefully. The blocking of transport for hindering the participation in the protest is against the law. During the protest, any person can make videos or recordings of the assemblies and these and the technical devices can be seized only in accordance with the law. The protesters can report any deed, action, inaction or violations of the right to assembly on the online platform www.monitor.md and to the People’s Ombudsman on 060002641.

The protesters cannot bear arms or other objects that can endanger the life or health of people. Those who see persons with such objects at the protest should immediately inform the police or representatives of the protest organizers. It is banned drinking alcoholic beverages. The use of amplifiers and sound equipment between 11pm and 7am is not allowed.

All the participants are obliged to obey public order and the legitimate requests of the protest organizer. If they see persons who violate public order or incite violence, they should distance themselves from these and immediately inform the police or persons assigned by the protest organizer. If one suffers injuries, they should call 112 and should go to the Emergency Service or any other medical institution to have the wounds documented. In case of serious injuries, a medical-legal examination can be requested or a complaint can be filed to the police or the Prosecutor’s Office.

The persons who do not have money for a lawyer can ask for a state paid lawyer (for details see www.cnajgs.md).

In case of arrest, the persons are recommended to take pictures and post them in the social media and send SMSes to relatives. The police should explain the reasons for the arrest and should present information about the human rights in written form. The arrested person can discuss in private with the lawyer as long as this needs and is allowed not to make statements and to sign documents in the absence of the lawyer. Within three hours of the arrest, the police will write a report that the person is to sign in the presence of the lawyer.

The police are obliged to allow the arrested person to contact relatives or a person of their choice so as to inform these about the arrest and their location within six hours of the arrest. Torture is punished with jail. If the arrested person has injuries when this is arrested, the person in charge of the investigation is obliged to immediately inform the prosecutor, who will order a medical-legal examination without delay to determine the origin and character of the injuries.