9 NGO members were arrested during a peaceful demonstration

The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Moldova (CHDOM) disapproves the actions of the public order bodies from Chisinau taken with respect to the 9 representatives and sympathizers of the „Hyde Park” non-governmental organization, and classified them as inadequate. CHDOM requested the Ministry of Internal Affairs to examine the case in order to avoid future incidents of this kind. 9 representatives and sympathizers of the „Hyde Park” organization were arrested on Wednesday, August 30, by the police during a demonstration in front of the Government House. They were kept behind closed doors in the isolator of the Buiucani Police precinct. According to CHDOM, neither the lawyers, nor the Helsinki Committee representatives were allowed to visit the prisoners in order to make sure that the health, physical shape and detention conditions are adequate. The Committee will keep track of the situation of the nine prisoners, as the situation is a typical example of defying democratic concepts and of the intrusion of the force bodies in the democratic process and fundamental human rights. CHDOM announces that it will give any required juridical support so that the nine persons get a fair trial and a proper financial compensation and, if necessary, the case will be presented to the European Court of Human Rights. Although the demonstrations of „Hyde Park” NGO in front of the Government’s House were authorized by the City Hall of Chisinau for August 29-31, the police motivated the arrests with the fact that on the date of August 30 no demonstrations were allowed.