Moldovan ombudsman unveils human rights observance report for 2015

Chisinau, 29 March /MOLDPRES/- People’s Ombudsman Mihai Cotorobai during a meeting today unveiled the report on the observance of human rights in Moldova in 2015.

The event was organized with the support of the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova and the Norwegian government within the “Supporting National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in compliance with the recommendations of the UN Convention Committees and Universal Periodic Review” project, as well as with the support of the Council of Europe within the “Support to criminal justice reforms in Moldova”, financed by the Danish government.

During his speech, Cotorobai highlighted that the ombudsman shall ensure the observance of human rights and freedoms by public authorities, organizations, enterprises, regardless of their property type and organizational form, as well as by non-commercial organizations and officials of all levels.

At the same time, Cotorobai noted that the ombudsman contributes to the defense of human rights and freedoms through preventing them from being violated, monitoring and reporting on their observance at the national level. He also contributes to this through improving the legislation in the field and through the enforcement of procedures regulated by the ombudsman law of 3 April 2014.

According to him, the ombudsman received 943 petitions in 2015, out of which 259 are related to the violation of the right to free access to justice. Thus, people complained on the alleged delay in the examination of cases by courts, failures to enforce court rulings and on the disagreement with the court sentence/ruling.

Most of the 195 petitions on security and personal dignity, relate to poor conditions of detention in penitentiaries (161 cases). At the same time, the complaints of highly vulnerable social groups on the failure to have their right to social assistance and protection ensured (91 petitions), ranking constantly on the third position among other categories.

The report also emphasized that prisoners, officially hired people, retired people, employees and unemployed, as well as disabled people, are the ones who contact the ombudsman most of the time. The ombudsman heard 2,659 people over 2015.  

Attending the event was also the head of the parliamentary juridical commission for rules and immunities, Raisa Apolschii. She said the report is to be unveiled during the parliament’s meeting as well.

The ombudsman office has 34 employees and four representatives in the territory- Balti, Varnita, Comrat and Cahul.

(Reporter N. Roibu, Editor M. Jantovan)