Three institutions in Moldova to cooperate to ensure protection of rights of national minorities

Chisinau, 16 November /MOLDPRES/- The Interethnic Relations Bureau, Ombudsman Office and Council for Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination and Ensuring Equality have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which provides for cooperation to protect and promote the rights of national minorities in Moldova.

The memorandum pays particular attention to the rights of national minorities to education, access to information, participation and other cultural, religious and linguistic rights.

According to a press release, the document is a tool to support implementation of the interethnic relations enhancement strategy approved by the Moldovan government in 2017. It sets out a framework for strengthening cooperation between the three national human rights institutions through regular meetings, exchange of information, joint research and mutual support.

“The strategy aims to create an inclusive and tolerant society in Moldova, a type of environment in which human rights, including those of national minorities, are respected," the head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Claus Neukirch, said.

The document was signed at the OSCE Mission to Moldova, which facilitated the drafting of the document. Previously, at the request of the three institutions, the Mission conducted an assessment of competences of national human rights institutions, in which it was recommended to set a joint mechanism for cooperation between institutions.