Voronin writes to Commissioner Stefan Fule
- 03.07.2012 18:05
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- 3 minute(s)
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Moldovan Communist Party president Vladimir Voronin wrote an open letter to EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule, complaining about the state of freedom of expression in Moldova and expressing his “surprise” that despite perceived faults in this area Moldova receives further EU funding.
In the letter, Voronin stated that the recent parliamentary hearings on freedom of expression and media were a “mere formality” and a “political show”, failing to produce coherent answers. “The parliamentary majority was unwilling to accept the request to invite key officials, representing a number of official institutions dealing with media. The hearings ended up without any resolution being adopted by the Moldovan Parliament”.
“What happened in Parliament on Friday was in fact a continuation of the policy of subversion pursued by the parliamentary majority of democratic standards and institutions, freedom of expression, violation of the opposition’s rights, lack of respect for Moldovan people, and an overall disregard for the recommendations made by Moldova’s foreign partners as well as for our European commitments”, the letter reads.
Concerning freedom of the media, Vladimir Voronin noted in particular the withdrawal of NIT channel's license. “On Monday,July 2, the Chisinau Court of Appeals proved again its political bias and obvious complicity with the authorities, while considering the case concerning the withdrawal of the NIT TV channel’s broadcasting license. The Court postponed its hearing of the case until 24 September 2012, citing artificial and unfounded reasons. Though the case has been pending in the Court for four months, no session has been held to consider this issue, and no substantive examination has been started either”.
In light of this, Vladimir Voronin “was deeply surprised to find out that for the so-called progress made by the current Moldovan authorities, a few days ago the European Union took the political decision to provide Moldova under the ‘more for more’ principle with an additional grant within the framework of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. I am not against the EU offering Moldova its support. But I am somehow upset that such a coincidence might serve as a platform and opportunity for further and much stronger attacks on democratic standards, freedom of expression, and human rights by those who usurped state power in the country”.
