Moldova made significant progress in protecting and promoting human rights in 2024. However, studies at the local level reveal about the plight of marginalized groups, which have become more vulnerable due to the crises of recent years and insufficient attention to their needs. This was mentioned by the People's Advocate Ceslav Panico at the third edition of the Human Rights and Equality Forum where outstanding efforts in promoting human rights were recognized by awarding UN prizes, IPN reports.
Advocate of the People Ceslav Panico said that a key area in which we urgently need to move forward is human rights education and combating hate speech. According to the ombudsman, there is a need for a better regulated system that ensures the active participation of all relevant actors and increases citizens' confidence that the decisions taken are really about them and for them.
"It is essential that reforms in areas such as justice, education, social protection, security or the economy are sustained and integrate a human rights-based approach. Human rights are not a fad, but a necessity for building a sustainable and equitable society", said Ceslav Panico.
According to the people's advocate for children's rights, Vasile Coroi, better protection of children's rights would prevent a large proportion of violations of adult rights. Children who have experienced a happy childhood, protected from abuse and neglect, who value human rights and human integrity, are much less likely to violate the rights of others in adulthood, as well as to tolerate violations of their own rights, Vasile Coroi said.
The Minister of Justice, Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, said that this forum is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to human rights values, which has been strengthened by our status as a candidate country for accession to the European Union. "Continuing the European path implies not only adapting and implementing the right policies, but also promoting a climate in which every citizen can exercise his or her rights and freedoms unhindered", she said.
Equality Council President Ian Feldman pointed out that the forum addresses the impact of digitization on people from vulnerable groups, the issue of children in alternative care, as well as the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups in care.
UN Resident Coordinator Yesim Oruc said that human rights are about education, health, freedom of expression and choice, living in community, but they are not an abstract idea or ideology. Human rights are the practical tools to give the freedom to express oneself to every human being who for various reasons is left hopeless or in a vulnerable situation, Yesim Oruc said. The UN official emphasized that the event celebrates tangible impact in the field of human rights by demonstrating practical solutions implemented in Moldova.
The overall prize - for outstanding achievements in defending human rights and having a lasting impact on communities - was awarded to the Union for Equity and Health.
The Special Award for the protection and promotion of children's rights went to the Association for Child and Family Empowerment "AVE Copiii".
The Society of Parents of Children with Disabilities "Алые паруса" from the city of Dubasari, the Public Association of People with Hearing Impairments "I Hear and Speak" were awarded honorable mentions.
The special award for the promotion of gender equality - for contributions to women's empowerment and reduction of discrimination - was presented to the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Moldova.
The event was organized on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, marked annually on 10 December.
