print version

Activity of Public Institutions

Parliament
Government

Death of political partnership by Igor Botan

Activity of Public Institutions

Parliament

1.1. Appointments. Dismissals

The Parliament has appointed the leadership of the National Commission of Financial Market (NCFM), the so-called "financial mega-regulator":

Chairman: Mihail Cibotaru (member of the Chamber of Auditors, ISS officer);
Deputy Chairwoman: Aurica Doina (controller of the Chamber of Auditors);
Members: Vladimir Morari (CCCEC officer); Alexandra Puscas (employer of an international financial project).

At the same time, the Parliament has dismissed all members of the National Commission for Securities (predecessor of NCFM), Dumitru Ursu (appointed on 20.04.2006), Iurie Tirdea (appointed on 28.07.2005), Vasile Pentelei (appointed on 17.02.2005), Ghenadie Ciobanu (appointed on 06.12.2002), without a plausible and concrete motivation, though their 7-year mandates did not expire yet.

1.2. Legal acts

Law on state-guaranteed legal assistance. The document regulates the conditions, volume and mode of granting of the state-guaranteed legal assistance for protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, other legitimate interests of people, ensuring of a free and fair access of everybody to qualified legal assistance. The assistance will be primary (granting of information and consulting) and secondary (granting of legal services and representation). The document is part of a package of acts for the judicial reform and its enforcement is a priority action for the implementation of the Moldova-European Union Action Plan (EUMAP) in 2007.

Law on status of information officer. It regulates the legal status of information officer of the Information and Security Service (ISS) of Moldova and the mode of functioning of the special service. The officer is in charge with organising, planning, conducting and controlling the information and counter information activity; collecting, verifying, storing, analysing and using information about national security; executing operative and special activity against terrorism and actions that undermine the national security; protecting the state secret, etc. The law is part of debts related to respect for commitments and tasks of member states of the Council of Europe.

Law on modification and completion of the Law on Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) (introduction of the Legal Inspection). The document launched by Moldovan president seeks the creation of the Legal Inspection to advise the SCM. This body will be in charge with controlling the organisational activity aimed at making justice; examining petitions from citizens concerning ethics of judges; verifying appeals of the Prosecutor-General regarding the consent of SCM for filing criminal cases; verifying grounds used by Moldovan president or Parliament to turn down candidacies proposed by SCM to posts of judges or promotion of judges. Competent experts feared that the document does not clearly regulate the status of the Inspection and the mode of creation of this body, and this situation may challenge doublings or conflicts of competences.

Law on prevention and combat of money laundering and financing of terrorism. The Council of Europe (CoE) has studied the new law, which is a commitment assumed within the E.U.-Moldova Action Plan. Independent surveys signalled a selective and inefficient takeover of community regulations in the area, as well as other shortcomings of this document, including the awarding of excessive discretionary functions and excessive regulation rights to competent authorities.

Law on modification and completion of the April 26, 2001 Law # 100-XV on civil status acts. The law establishes the legal status of the civil status service and seeks the simplification of the process of transcription of civil status papers issued on names of Moldovan citizens by foreign authorities, empowering territorial civil status offices of Moldova and diplomatic missions or consular offices of Moldova to transcript these documents.

Law on modification and completion of the law on public associations. The Government has promoted the amendments without the necessary preliminary consultation and transparency, following the declared goal "to adjust them to regulations of the Civil Code." Many nongovernmental organisations have raised essential disagreements with some provisions when the Parliament studied this draft. The draft was finalised after the proposals have been discussed with representatives of civil society organisations, with some of their initiatives being accepted.

Law on modification and completion of the law on ombudsmen and decision on modification of the Regulation on the Centre for Human Rights of Moldova (CHRM). The amendments came after the Optional Protocol to the U.N. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment was enforced on July 24, 2006. According to the protocol, every state appoints or introduces independent mechanisms to prevent the torture at national level. It is worth to notice that intentions of authorities to award these functions to CHRM have raised the criticism of nongovernmental institutions in charge with protection of human rights (Amnesty International, Helsinki-Moldova Committee).

Law on modification and completion of the March 28, 1995 Law # 411-XIII on Healthcare. Under the law, heads of public medical-sanitary institutions created by Health Ministry or local public authorities are selected at contests and the Health Ministry dismisses them. This amendment is motivated by "the lack of necessary competences of local public authorities in the law on administrative decentralisation and the law on local public administration." Independent observers raise concerns with these amendments, fearing that they may allow a selection of heads of these local (district) medical institutions on political-administrative and economic criteria.

Law on modification of the law on 2007 state budget. The Government motivates the changes with the "situation of agriculture" and estimation of additional collections to the budget from VAT, customs duties and reduction of amounts for repayment of excise stamps. The highest rises envisage the growth of the fund for subsidising of farmers and rise (doubling) of the reserve fund of executive. Earlier, the Chamber of Auditors and opposition parliamentarians, mass media and other independent observers have repeatedly signalled serious shortcomings linked to administration of the reserve fund of executive, faulty and abusive use of the money from this fund including for political and conjuncture goals.

Law on modification and completion of the law on republican fund and local social assistance funds for people. It establishes a new modality of raising the tax from mobile telephony operators: 2.5 percent of the earning on sales of these services.

Law on modification and completion of the law on river and water basin protection areas and strips. It introduces amendments on classification of water areas and river protection strips, as well as special regulations on coordination of activities in these areas: with the central authority in charge with administration of natural resources; central health authority; state ecological survey agency; agency in charge with evaluation of the impact on environment. The new provisions are based on experience of neighbouring countries, particularly of the Russian Federation.

Law on completion of Article 24 of the May 31, 1990 Law # 64-XII on Government. It stipulates the creation of the Agency Apele Moldovei as a Government-controlled competent central body. The agency will be created through reorganisation of the Republican Water Management Concern Apele Moldovei. The need is motivated by "idea to bring together all the tasks linked to management of waters and water systems, as well as implementation of the strategy on water and sewerage delivery to Moldovan localities, into a single public institution."

Law on modification and completion of the Customs Code and Tax Code. It regulates aspects of functioning of duty-free markets at ground crossing points of the state border (Moldovan-Romanian border). It is worth to note that the previous legislation which allowed the functioning of such markets was modified at the indication of state leadership, with the purpose to obstruct these activities, which "have facilitated tax avoidance schemes and other customs frauds." The actions of authorities made some economic agents appeal to international courts and the ECHR has recently sentenced Moldova to pay huge damages (520,000 Euros in the case Bimer vs. Moldova).

Laws on extension of some terms for enforcement and execution of legal norms:

• Law on modification and completion of the law on basic principles of regulation of entrepreneurship. It extends until November 30, 2007 the execution term of this law (revision and adoption of normative acts within the mechanism called Guillotine II);
• Law on extension of the term for adjustment of endowments of private educational institutions to requirements of the law on education. Under the law on education, private institutions must meet certain conditions regarding statutory capital, use of classrooms, laboratories as property, but private pre-university institutions cannot meet these requirements. The introduction of these requirements in 2003 challenged protests and the term was earlier extended more than once, and this suspension is also motivated by "improvement of the draft Education Code" which will establish new regulations in the area.
• Law on extension of the term for creation of the legal police. Under amendments, the term for creation of the legal police controlled by the Ministry of Justice was extended until 2010. The change is produced by financial and material obstacles: the need of increasing the number of personnel, arrange areas, purchase motor vehicles, weapons and special equipment, maintenance sources, etc.
• Law on modification of the law on electricity. The term of liberalisation of electricity prices was postponed until 2015.

Laws on ratification of some international acts:

• The agreement on release of a technical credit between Moldovan and Polish Governments. The credit (up to 15 million dollars, a 1.4 interest, for a 20-year term) will be contracted to implement investment projects on drinkable water providing and environment protection;
• The Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Police Office;
• The agreement on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion concerning income and capital taxes, additional protocol between Moldovan Government and Government of the Sultanate of Oman;
• The agreement on international carriers of perishables and on special transports used to carry these cargoes;
• The Financing Agreement between Moldova and the International Development Association ((Health and Social Assistance Project) worth 17 million dollars);
• The Financing Agreement between Moldova and the International Development Association ((sustenance project for the road programme), worth 16.0 million dollars).

Decision approving the judiciary strengthening strategy. The Parliament adopts this decision. Art. 1. – the judiciary strengthening strategy is approved accordingly to the annex which is part of this decision. Art.2. – the Government will ensure the implementation of the judiciary strengthening strategy and will work out draft legislative acts needed to implement the strategy and will deliver them to the Parliament.

Decision on granting of additional benefits to members of the Parliament. It increases the fees for sittings (from 30 up to 100 lei) and the compensation for transportation expenditures (from 300 lei up to 500 lei per parliamentarian). Also, it introduces a dismissal indemnity worth 6 monthly remunerations paid when the mandate of the Parliament is over, and annual compensations worth a monthly salary for treatment in sanatoriums. The draft decision is not accompanied by a public arguing note or results of economic, financial and anti-corruption surveys.

1.3. Statements

The parliamentary faction representing the Our Moldova Alliance (AMN) released a statement "on situation of agriculture" on July 19, 2007, seeking urgent measures to improve the situation of agriculture, in particular, "to stop the destruction of small agricultural entrepreneur."

Speaker and all faction leaders have told their opinions about activity of the Parliament and evolution of social-political situation in country, at the end of the summer session:

• Marian Lupu said that decisions and choice of fellow citizens must be respected while parliamentary political forces must be wise and flexible for Moldova’s major interests. The speaker considers that neither the pro-European orientation nor the reintegration of the country lost their actuality and importance and the holidays could help get rid of euphoria and useless emotions, so that the Parliament to continue its activity with perseverance, professionalism and responsibility toward society and country.
• The leader of the parliamentary faction of the Party of Communists of Moldova (PCRM), Eugenia Ostapciuc, considers that the opposition knows the problems of the country, but it does not want to help solving them and seizes this situation to reach the own goals. Ostapciuc said that the PCRM faction is trying to resolve the problems with the existing means, while the opposition is speculating these issues to raise political capital. Finally, the PCRM faction leader added that those affirming that the results of the 2009 elections are predetermined "commit a grave mistake, and electors will vote again the PCRM, the only political force which demonstrated its capacity to resolve the problems of people, if the elections are right and fair."
• OMA leader Serafim Urechean says that the common victory of democratic forces at the general local elections is the only result of the political season. On the other hand, OMA considers that Moldova entered an evident regress in the first half of 2007 because of the incompetent and irresponsible governance of PCRM. OMA regrets the annulment of live broadcasting of plenary sittings, new restrictions in the Parliament’s Regulation, limitation of freedom of expression and lack of reforms of public broadcasting. Also, it described as inconsistent the legislative reforms implemented in 2006: in electoral system; broadcasting organisation and authorities; control on public finances; judicial self-administration. Urechean accused the communists of sabotaging the new local administration by blocking the creation of local councils; introducing a central control on the social sustenance fund for population; depriving local administrations of the right to appoint and dismiss heads of subordinated budgetary institutions; centralising the financing of local police; refusing to allocate funds for compensation of effects of the drought in agriculture. Finally, Urechean recommended the creation of an apolitical anti-crisis Government in Moldova to remedy the situation and to balance the relations between central power and local administrations.
• Democratic Party (DPM) chairman Dumitru Diacov has accused the communist-controlled central and local authorities of fighting against opposition by blocking all initiatives of the opposition, intimidating the adepts, destroying the parliamentary political consensus, etc.
• Christian Democratic People’s Party (CDPP) chairman Iurie Rosca claims that the chief of state, the Government and the PCRM have declared war to everybody – opposition parties, local authorities, neighbouring countries. Rosca asked the chief of state to be correct, not to intervene abusively in activity of the Parliament, not to decide alone on arrival of representatives of the Tiraspol regime in the Parliament and Government and not to let his entourage manipulate him. The CDPP leader criticised the intimidation of opposition at general local elections and noted that the reforms launched through legislative modifications promoted after the April 2005 consensus have slowed down, they are blocked by bureaucratic apparatus, which chooses to imitate the good functioning and to meet political orders of the top leadership.

Government

2.1. Appointments. Reshuffles

• The Government has given green light to a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration to recall the Moldovan ambassador to Greece, Iulian Magaleas.
• Semion Carp, former deputy interior minister and commander of the Carabineer Troops, was appointed as rector of the Police Academy Stefan cel Mare.
• Mircea Buga was dismissed from the post of first deputy director of the National Health Insurance Company and appointed as deputy health minister.
• Igor Semenovker was dismissed from the post of director of the Agency for Constructions and Territorial Development and Vladimir Baldovici, general entrepreneur of rebuilding works at the Capriana Monastery Complex, succeeded him. Anatolie Izbinda was dismissed from the post of deputy director of the Agency for Constructions and Territorial Development, at the request of the Supreme Security Council.
• Petru Silivestru was dismissed from the post of deputy minister of environment.

2.2. Decisions

Decision approving the regulation on e-mail system of public authorities. The Information and Security Service will ensure the functioning and security of the system. The system will be gradually built by 2009.

Decision on creation of a working group to monitor the strategic foreign direct investment inflows and related transactions. Under this decision, central bodies of public administration will coordinate beforehand with the working group all actions for promotion of strategic investments in national economy and will take actions to attract investments only after the working group makes a decision in this respect.

Decision on monitoring of import operations. The state will regulate the prices of a series of goods imported by individuals and businesses. The Customs Service will monitor the import transactions of economic agents and will notify the State Tax Inspectorate and the Centre for the Struggle Against Economic Crimes and Corruption, if it discovers that the prices of goods are by 40 percent higher than the prices from this decision. This mechanism aims to discover fiscal evasions after undervaluation of imported goods at customs stations and to enhance budget collections on account of customs duties.

Decision on implementation of the action programme on implementation of the new system of evaluation of real estate for taxation. As many as 20,035 commercial real estates and 6,458 industrial real estates have been evaluated and data on 40,329 garages and 24,543 plots of fruit-growing associations have been collected in the period concerned (from October 1, 2006 to May 1, 2007). The list of problems includes: non-presentation of lists of holders of the right to location of non-privatised apartments, insufficient cooperation between territorial cadastral offices and local public administrations, etc.

Decisions approving some programmes, concepts, strategies:

• Moldova’s energy strategy till 2020;
• The concept of the automatic information system called register of infrastructure of law bodies;
• The concept of the integrated system of circulation of electronic documents;
• The national plan on implementation of the 2006–09 joint programme of the European Commission and Council of Europe on enhancing of independence, transparency and efficiency of justice in Moldova.

Decisions approving some draft laws:

• Concerning the state registration of individual entrepreneurs and legal entities;
• Concerning the modification of the law on police (exclusion of provisions on financing of the municipal police from local budgets).

Decisions on allocation of finances from the reserve fund of the Government:

• The Moldova-Vin Agency receives one million lei to purchase laboratory equipment needed to control the quality of alcohol production;
• The Causeni District Council gets one million lei to restore the museum house Alexei Mateevici;
• The Government’s Apparatus receives 2,012,000 lei to pay the works for installation of an illumination system at the Condrita Complex;
• The Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre receives more than 7 million lei to purchase fields for construction of the railway line Cahul-Giurgiulesti (1.8 million lei) from private property to state property; implementation of the investment agreement on the Giurgiulesti Free International Port (4.9 million lei); purchase of some private fields used to build the railway line Revaca-Cainari (400,000 lei).

2.3. Sittings. Decisions. Statements

Working group for problems of entrepreneurs

The prime minister has met representatives of the Foreign Investors Associations in Moldova and the talks focussed on attraction of more investments. Investors said that the dialogue between central public administration and business community has advanced much in the past years and new investments in Moldovan economy have essentially helped improving the business community. In particular, it was stressed that the Government is receptive to diverse problems, including those signalled in the White Book. At the same time, investors said that actions aimed at improving the legislative-normative and fiscal framework must continue, in order to create new stimulatory conditions for attraction of foreign capital in Moldova. In the context, they signalled a series of problems that must be solved via a permanent dialogue. In order to maintain a permanent and efficient dialogue, it was decided to create a special working group to operatively work out and propose optimal solutions to problems occurring in entrepreneurial activity.

Proposals of young prime ministers concerning the draft National Development Plan (NDP)

Members of the club of young prime ministers have discussed aspects of the NDP goals and raised proposals worked out after consulting sittings with the participation of youths from areas, diverse nongovernmental organisations. The initiatives seek more support for participation of youths in social and economic processes in country. The prime minister encouraged the youths to continue their active participation in public debates and drafting of diverse documents on youth. In the context, the prime minister asked the club members to study and tell their opinions about the functioning concept of the Republican Youth Centre.

Transdnistrian Problem

President Voronin makes a series of statements on Transnistria

During the period covered here President Vladimir Voronin made a series of statements on the Transnistrian settlement process within a press-conference and an ample interview with NIT TV Station. The main theses that President Voronin put forward in his statements could be summed up as follows:

• There is no secret plan being discussed with Russia, but just a package of proposals which Moldova wants to agree with Russia and then propose it to the "5+2" format, which remains the only mechanism for identifying solutions to the Transnistrian conflict. Moldova is talking to all partners in the "5+2" format, not just Russia, and has discussed its proposals with all of them;;
• Moldova’s proposals are in full compliance with the 2005 Law on the basic principles of the status of Transnistria. On the basis of this Law, a blueprint of the Law on the status of Transnistrian will be drafted, that will be presented to the "5+2" format and, if approved, will be subject to vote in the Moldovan Parliament;
• Russia is "very constructive" and President Putin is willing to help Moldova solve the Transnistrian conflict. Even on the thorny issue of the peacekeeping mechanism, which Moldova wants to transform into a mission of civilian observers, Russia is being "constructive"(In a recent communique from the Russian Foreign Ministry the peace keeping mechanism in Transnistria was named as "one of the most successful and effective in the history of peacekeeping"; such a positive assessment of the current peace keeping mechanism does not indicate an intention to change its format);
• The withdrawal of Russian troops and munitions from Transnistria is a precondition for any settlement solution.
• Moldovan Government is estimating the "cost of reintegration" and has created a special working group under the office of First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Grecianii which also includes European experts.

A recurring theme in President Voronin’s statements on Transnistria has been a series of charges against the opposition parties of having compromised the political consensus on the Transnistrian settlement and of opposing an eventual settlement for fears of losing "their personal, political and patrimonial welfare".

It is worth noting that in an interview with Radio Free Europe the US Ambassador to Moldova, Michael Kirby, noted that although it is necessary for Moldova to talk to Russia about the Transnistrian settlement, Moldova should also talk to other partners in the "5+2" format, which remains the best format for discussing any solutions. Ambassador Kirby invoked the precedent of the so-called Kozak Memorandum, which could have undermined the territorial integrity of Moldova, and said that in the context of the intense Moldovan-Russian talks in the past months US wanted to know what was happening. "There was a huge tempest, but it is not clear if it was a tempest or a tempest in a teapot", the US diplomat said referring to those talks.

Transnistrian exports to the EU on rise

According to a communique released by the Ministry of Reintegration, 70 Transnistrian businesses registered with the Moldovan State Registration Chamber in the first half of 2007. This has brought to 338 the number of Transnistrian businesses registered permanently or temporarily with the Moldovan authorities to date. Of these, 45 economic agents registered after the adoption of Government Decision no. 301 on 17 March 2007, whereby both permanent and provisional registration with the Moldovan authorities gets Transnistrian business access to trade preferences enjoyed by Moldova as part of its GSP+ agreement with the EU. In January – June 2007, Moldovan Customs Service issued 635 preferential certificates of origin to 17 Transnistrian businesses for exports to the EU. Transnistrian exports to the EU have increased by 17.4 % compared to 2005 and the EU has ranked second after the CIS as the final destination of Transnistrian exports (37%).

Overall Transnistrian exports in the first half of 2007 were twice as much as in the same period of 2006. Steel and light industry products accounted for most of the region’s exports. The Moldova Trade and Industry Chamber issued 3,386 certificates of origin for Transnistrian produced export items in the first half of 2007, which is 37% more than in 2006.

Economic analysts have explained this growth in Transnistrian exports to the EU by the fact that Romania, traditionally one of the main destinations of Transnistrian exports, is from 1 January 2007 an EU Member State. The access to European Trade Preferences that Transnistrian businesses gained as a result of their registration with Moldovan de jure authorities is another key factor.

This data shows that despite the official propaganda businesses in the region operate normally, more than that, they expand to new markets. This data also shows the benefits that the registration of Transnistrian businesses with the Moldovan authorities bring to their activity, but also in a broader sense to the reintegration of the economic space of Moldova.

It is worth noting that on 13 July the Inter RAO EES owned Transnistrian Power Plant in Dnestrovsc (Kuciurgan), one of the largest Transnistrian enterprises, resumed exports to Romania. The plant will increase its production capacity twice by operating two more power blocks in addition to the two blocks working at the moment. The company expects to export to Romania over one billion kilowat in the first year of operation at the price of 0.05 USD per kilowat.

Foreign Affairs

European integration

Sitting on implementation of EUMAP

The chief of state held a sitting on implementation of the European Union – Moldova Action Plan (EUMAP) on July 24, 2007. Taking part in the sitting were important decision makers from central public institutions. President Voronin stressed the need of implementing the EUMAP goals in the due terms, in order to bring Moldova closer to the "European standards and values on multiple plans, including the free move of citizens, goods and capital." Also, it was noted that every institution must respect its action plan agreed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and it was stressed the need to remedy the shortcomings related to implementation of EUMAP signalled at the June 2007 Luxembourg meeting of the E.U.-Moldova Cooperation Council.

We recall that the E.U. has underlined at that meeting the "need for Moldova to redouble its efforts aimed at implementing democratic reforms in crucial areas such as respect for human rights, freedom of the media and respect for the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary. It also stressed the importance of a transparent business environment and anti-corruption fight."^[1] (Bold – ADEPT)

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova – Romania

Public talks on two of the existing problems related to the Moldova-Romania relationship have been resumed in the period covered by this issue of the journal. In particular, the citizenship issue and the problem of opening of two Romanian consulates in Moldova have been discussed. President Vladimir Voronin has resumed the talks.

President Voronin has accused Romania during a broadcast aired by TV channel NIT that it profits of the situation when Moldovans cannot travel to the E.U. without visas and proposes them the Romanian citizenship.

The chief of state delivered this statement shortly after Kalman Miszei, E.U. Special Representative for Moldova, would recently invited Romania to restrict the citizenship awarding procedure. According to the Bucharest Ministry of Justice, 2,430 applications for Romanian citizenship have been accepted after the simplified citizenship awarding procedure was suspended in 2002, compared with 98,000 applications accepted before.

Elsewhere, Voronin said that Moldova will not open two Romanian consulates in Balti and Cahul in the near future because of the lack of "a mutual interest". Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu replied that Bucharest is still interested to open two consulates in Balti and Cahul and revealed that his ministry has reiterated a request in this respect to the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.

Republic of Moldova – Russia

After having demanded samples from five Moldovan wine companies such as Vismos, Calarasi-Divin, Buket Moldavii, DK-Intertrade and Kvint (all with Russian capital), the Russian food security supervisor Rospotrebnadzor allowed the first three wineries to export their production to the Russian market.

According to Valeriu Mironescu, director of Moldova-Vin Agency, the decision to test the wines of five companies only is discrimination and it is unknown so far how the choice was made.

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has also raised dissatisfaction with this decision by Rospotrebnadzor and described it as unacceptable for Chisinau. He noted that either all Moldovan enterprises or none of them will be authorised to export, and instructed the Moldova-Vin director not to issue excise stamps as long as Russia does not accept all Moldovan producers.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova – Council of Europe

Respect for CoE recommendations

Speaker Marian Lupu told a summary news conference on activity of the Parliament that all legislative actions stipulated by cooperation programme between Moldovan Parliament and CoE have been implemented during the spring-summer 2007 session with two exceptions. He indicated the failure to adopt in the second reading the draft law on political parties and their financing and the Education Code.

It is worth to note that this programme should be implemented in 2005–2006. Secondly, the Parliament is late to adopt new laws on status of the Chisinau municipality and consolidation of parliamentary immunity; it did not condemn so far the principle of dismissal of Comrat mayor by People’s Assembly of Gagauzia and did not investigate many criminal charges brought against opposition leaders at national and local levels – all these actions are stipulated by the programme concerned.

ECHR judgment

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) passed a judgment on Gorea vs. Moldova on July 17. The Strasbourg-based Court indicated the violation of Article 5§1 of the Convention (legality of jail) , as Grigore Gorea was jailed without a legal warrant after the term of the arrest warrant issued on his name has expired. Moldova was told to pay 9,000 Euros to the applicant in non-pecuniary damages and 2,500 Euros in costs and expenses, as well as any other fees which will be paid from these amounts. The ECHR has sentenced Moldova in 68 cases until now, obliging it to pay damages worth approximately 1.43 million Euros to applicants.

Studies, Analyses, Comments

Death of political partnership
Igor Botan, 31 July 2007

The opposition will be capable to stay consolidated further only under the threat that the PCRM may regain its rating and restart pressures and harassments under various forms

»»»