Although the Republic of Moldova is classified as moderate risk in the 2026 edition of the Global Torture Index, four essential areas remain vulnerable. These are the prevention of police brutality, detention conditions, combating impunity, and respecting the rights of victims. Promo-LEX warns that this rating may create an incomplete image of the real situation, as it conceals serious structural problems, reports IPN.
According to Promo-LEX, although the legislation prohibits torture and inhumane treatment, its implementation remains deficient. By the end of 2025, the European Court of Human Rights found approximately 180 violations of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights in cases against the Republic of Moldova.
The report shows that preventing police brutality remains one of the most vulnerable areas. Last year, 299 criminal cases were recorded regarding alleged acts of torture and ill-treatment committed by state agents, but only 76 were turned into criminal investigations. At the same time, Promo-LEX points out the lack of an independent civil mechanism for investigating complaints against police officers.
Problems persist in the prison system as well. Penitentiary No. 13 in Chisinau and Penitentiary No. 11 in Balti remain severely overcrowded, with 325 and 173 inmates over capacity, respectively. At the same time, the shortage of medical staff limits access to health services, and the informal hierarchies among inmates favor abuses and human rights violations.
Promo-LEX notes that impunity continues to be a major problem. Less than 5% of complaints about torture end in convictions, and investigations last, on average, over four years. In addition, victims rarely benefit from state-funded compensation or rehabilitation services, even though the legal framework allows for this.
In this context, the association calls on the authorities to reduce overcrowding in prisons, to create an independent mechanism for investigating complaints against the police, to strengthen investigations into torture, and to ensure support and compensation for victims. Furthermore, Promo-LEX requests the transfer of medical services from prisons under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and the allocation of resources dedicated to preventing torture.
The Global Torture Index is compiled by the World Organization Against Torture in collaboration with the SOS-Torture network and evaluates, in its 2026 edition, 39 countries based on seven thematic areas.
