Right to association to be adjusted to international acts, envisaged in Moldovan constitution

Chisinau, 28 December /MOLDPRES/ – Government approved at its meeting today a draft amendment to the Constitution, which states that "everyone has the right to associate freely with others, including the right to form trade unions or employers’ associations, and to join them".

Currently, the Constitution divides freedom of association into two components: freedom of founding and membership in trade unions and freedom of parties and other socio-political organizations. The Supreme Law does not expressly provide general freedom of association in other forms, although this right is guaranteed under international treaties on the rights and fundamental freedoms, signed by Moldova.

According to the draft, exercising freedom of association may be restricted only in cases provided by law, "whether that restriction constitutes a necessary measure in a democratic society to ensure national security, public order, crime prevention, health protection, morals or rights and freedoms of others". Those limitations are taken from the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) status being transferred into national law.

Moldova assumed the European direction and in the Member States of the European Union right of association was enshrined in the basic act, a sign of democracy and modernization.

The project will be submitted to the Parliament for adoption.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)