Moldova's parliamentary elections met many standards, but underscore need for democratic reform to restore trust
Chisinau, 30.07.2009 - Yesterday's parliamentary elections in Moldova met many international standards, but the process underscored the need for continued democratic reforms to restore public trust, the international election observation mission concluded in a preliminary statement issued today. The election was overall well-administered, allowing for competition of political parties representing a plurality of views. The observers stressed that the campaign was negatively affected by subtle intimidation and media bias.
Moldova: PACE to observe the anticipated parliamentary elections
Strasbourg, 24.07.2009 – A Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) delegation led by Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (Turkey, EDG) will be visiting Moldova from 27 to 30 July 2009 to observe the anticipated parliamentary elections on Wednesday 29, alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the European Parliament and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR).
The delegation is to meet notably the President of the Central Electoral Commission and representatives of the political parties standing in the election, civil society and the media, before observing the ballot in a sample of polling stations across the country.
Human rights were violated in Moldova, concludes Commissioner Hammarberg
Strasbourg, 28.04.2009 - More than three hundred persons were arrested in Chisinau, Moldova, in connection with the post-electoral demonstrations in early April. A significant number of them were subjected to ill-treatment by the police, some of which was severe. This was the conclusion of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, after a visit in the Moldovan capital from 25 to 28 April 2009.
Moldova: “Ill-treatment and police brutality should be stamped out” says Commissioner Hammarberg in his report
Strasbourg, 17.07.2009 – “The violations of the prohibition against ill-treatment, which surfaced so acutely after the post-electoral demonstrations of 6-7 April, must be tackled head-on to restore a climate of confidence. Decisive action should be taken to enforce a firm attitude of ‘zero tolerance’ of ill-treatment throughout the criminal justice system” said the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights on publishing today his report on the visit to Moldova. “It is clear that there is a need to review not only the behaviour of individual police officers, but also the responsibility of their superiors” says Commissioner Hammarberg.
Council of Europe Secretary General responds to allegations by Moldovan State Television
Strasbourg, 10.07.2009 - I am very concerned about the allegations made on Moldovan State Television that some people employed by the Council of Europe participated in the post-electoral disturbances in Moldova in April.
These very serious allegations have been made without any specific evidence being presented and without the Council of Europe or the people concerned being given an opportunity to respond to them. Clearly Moldovan State Television has much to learn about responsible journalism.