Speaker says parliament makes efforts for observance of human rights in Moldova

Chisinau, 4 November /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova's progress and drawbacks in ensuring principles of the state based on the rule of law and human rights' observance, in line with the commitments taken when joining the Council of Europe, were discussed at an international conference "Bringing Human Rights Home: Commitments, Challenges, Education and Cooperation," the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported.

The event is organised by the Council of Europe, National Justice Institute and Justice Ministry of Moldova, to mark the 20th anniversary of Moldova's accession to the Council of Europe. 

In the opening of the conference, Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu addressed a greeting message to the participants in the event. He appreciated the partnership with the Council of Europe and the institution's important contribution to promoting the democratic reforms in Moldova, ensuring the principles of the state based on the rule of law and human rights' observance.

"Moldova has been a member of the Council of Europe for 20 years - a period full of challenges and, regretfully, there is still much to be achieved. Unfortunately, Moldova is still in process of monitoring by the Council of Europe, yet we may also speak about results as well. The Moldovan parliament takes efforts for the observance of human rights in the country, as well as for the system working, so that the human rights and fundamental freedoms be observed," Andrian Candu said.

The speaker also referred to juridical expertises provided by the Council of Europe through the Venice Commission on legislative initiatives which triggered numerous discussions in Moldova, in particular, the Law on Prosecution and the amendments to the Audiovisual Code.  In this context, Andrian Candu said the Law on Prosecution was to be included on the agenda of the plenary meetings due this week, after it had been debated in commissions. 

The speaker also appreciated the Council of Europe's contribution to creating a working group in parliament, to consider the special status of the Gagauz autonomy, in order to boost the dialogue and adjust the legislation. According to Candu, the Moldovan parliament has a lasting cooperation also with the Council of Europe parliamentary Assembly, within which Moldovan MPs are heads of important commissions. 

The international conference "Bringing Human Rights Home: Commitments, Challenges, Education and Cooperation," is held on 4-5 November. The participants in the event review Moldova's achievements in ensuring the principles of democracy, state based in the rule of law and human rights' observance, in accordance with the commitments taken by Moldova when joining the Council of Europe and in parallel with the reformation of the justice sector.   

Attending the opening of the conference were also executive Director of the National Justice Institute Diana Scobioala, Justice Minister Vladimir Cebotari, Head of the Council of Europe's Office in Moldova Jose Luis Herrero, Director General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs of the Council of Europe Philippe Boillat , representatives of justice institutions from Moldova and abroad, civil society. 

(Editor L. Alcaza)