The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights of the Dunja Mijatović published a report on her visit to Moldova. In March this year, the CoE representative undertook a working visit to the Republic of Moldova, including Comrat and Tiraspol, following which she developed a report with recommendations that our country's authorities should apply in several specific areas in relation to protection and respect for human rights: preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, children's rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, the rights of the Roma, etc.
With regard to the legislation on domestic violence and its implementation, in line with international standards, the Commissioner urges the Moldovan authorities to ratify the Istanbul Convention without further delay.
“The government should ensure that the public has accurate information about the true nature and scope of violence against women and domestic violence and the measures envisaged in the Istanbul Convention to respond to and prevent these phenomena”, Dunja Mijatović underscores.
The recommendations of the CoE Commissioner in this regard include:
• To extend the network of shelters and support services for victims of domestic violence and improve access to justice, along with the law enforcement and justice bodies;
• To effectively investigate complaints and deal with cases inn a gender-sensitive manner, etc.
Dunja Mijatović called for the promotion of a culture of respect for children's rights, including by further strengthening the national framework for the elimination of violence against children, encouraging a change in attitudes towards corporal punishment and promoting child-friendly justice aiming at rehabilitation and reintegration.
The CoE representative is concerned about instances of hate speech, especially by political leaders during the electoral campaigns, targeting women and LGBTI persons.
“The Moldovan authorities must take ownership and responsibility in fighting hate speech and translate their commitment into a visible strategy”, the Council of Europe Commissioner for human rights underscores.
The full report of the Council of Europe Commissioner for human rights on the visit to the Republic of Moldova is here.
The comments of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova are here.