Human rights – object of abuse for the authorities
Press release
December 11, 2015
Moldova should meet its international commitments to ensure everyone’s right to
a fair trial and the right not to be treated in an inhuman and degrading way
Today Amnesty International Moldova has submitted to the Ministry of Justice and the
Department of Penitentiary Institutions a letter requesting information on the conditions of
detention in the penitentiary no.13 and how the rights referred to in Articles 3 and 6 ECHR
are guaranteed to the detainees:
”Amnesty International Moldova expresses concern about information on inhuman and
degrading treatment during pre-trial detention which could affect the detainees in
the Chișinău-based penitentiary no.13, information also mentioned in the Reports of the
Committee for the Prevention of Torture, information known to the public at large and very
often mentioned in the latest ECtHR judgements concerning Art.3 (prohibition of torture).
Despite the tense political atmosphere around some recent cases, we reiterate the need to
respect the international obligations assumed by the Republic of Moldova, derived from its
capacity as a member of the Council of Europe, part to the European Court of Human
Rights. Moldova is bound to ensure that no one shall be subjected to torture, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment in the context of detention, or in any other situation.
Both in the case of Grigore Petrenco and his fellow activists, and in the case of Vladimir
Filat, the charges against them shall to be considered in a fair and public hearing by an
independent tribunal within reasonable time.
Based on the above, we want to remind the authorities of the penitentiary no.13 and other
prisons in Moldova that any action that could be described as torture, inhuman or degrading
treatment shall not be tolerated, but prevented by the administration of prisons.
We demand to be informed about the conditions of detention of the detainee Grigore
Petrenco and his fellow activists, as well as the conditions of detention of the detainee Vlad
Filat. We also request from you information whether or not there were effective
investigations regarding their complaints concerning the alleged ill-treatment, and if their
health was allegedly harmed – whether they were provided with competent medial aid. At
the same time, we urge you to promote as soon as possible the National Mechanism for the
Prevention of Torture, which would serve as an effective tool for monitoring and
documenting the conditions of detention in the Moldovan pre-trial detention centers and
prisons.”
Amnesty International Moldova, through its actions and campaigns, condemned acts of
torture and inhuman treatment, including violation of the right to a fair trial, from the
moment of its foundation in 1993. We repeatedly urged the authorities to provide a
mechanism for the prevention of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment or
punishment, as well as mechanisms through which everyone would enjoy a fair trial.
Unfortunately, all governments have been turning deaf ear to our demands so far,
ignoring them and imitating justice reforms. Amnesty International Moldova’s
demands were vehemently disregarded every time, even when we asked for
effective investigations into the April 7 case, the authorities were acting with
impunity.
The Moldovan institutions have proved so far that they are not able to investigate
human rights violations and to apply the penalties against those who violate
human rights, regardless of the colour of ruling political forces. The situation
failed to change neither after sentencing by the European Court of Human Rights,
nor after the reports and recommendations provided by international institutions.
Moldova therefore loses annually huge amounts of money since the ECtHR
judgments makes it pay to people whose rights were violated through the
incompetent court rulings. Most of them refer to Art.3 ECHR, prohibiting torture
and inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and Art.6 fair trial.
It is unfortunate that politicians demonstrate their ignorance and indifference
every time when non-governmental organizations address the existing problems
with human rights, forget their commitments assumed upon signing the
international instruments on human rights protection, and wash their hands when
we urge them to find and punish those who act with impunity and immunity, in
violation of any rule and trampling on human rights.
The National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture is not operational since
summer 2012. The human rights organizations are not accredited to make
unannounced visits to the detention centers. There is a growing and urgent need
for this mechanism in the context of selective justice and the lack of a fair trial.
We call on media to provide correct information relating to the work of this
Mechanism.
We remind the authorities that the rule of law will be achieved when Human
Rights cease to be their object of abuse.
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Violeta Terguta
Media&PR Officer
Human Rights Education Coordinator
Amnesty International Moldova
T: +37322-835808 ext.11
M: +373-68090278
F: +37322-229966
E: media@amnesty.md
W: http://www.amnesty.md/