| MOLDOVA Republic of Moldova Republica Moldova Joined United Nations: 2 March 1992 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 11/22/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Chisinau (Kishinev)
4,317,483 (July 2010 est.)
Iurie Leanca
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs and European Integration
since 25 September 2009
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs and European Integration
since 25 September 2009
President elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a
second term); election last held 4 April 2005 NOTE- As
Parliamentary Speaker, Ghimpu was appointed to succeed Vladimir
Voronin following his resignation as president, until elections can be
held; the parliament twice failed to elect a president in 2009 and
must wait until at least late 2010 to dissolve itself and hold new
presidential elections, given that the constitution forbids parliament
from being dissolved more than twice in a 12-month period
Next scheduled election: 28 November 2010
second term); election last held 4 April 2005 NOTE- As
Parliamentary Speaker, Ghimpu was appointed to succeed Vladimir
Voronin following his resignation as president, until elections can be
held; the parliament twice failed to elect a president in 2009 and
must wait until at least late 2010 to dissolve itself and hold new
presidential elections, given that the constitution forbids parliament
from being dissolved more than twice in a 12-month period
Next scheduled election: 28 November 2010
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with
Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime
minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the
Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet;
prime minister designated 17 September 2009; cabinet received a
vote of confidence 25 September 2009
Next scheduled election: 28 November 2010
Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime
minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the
Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet;
prime minister designated 17 September 2009; cabinet received a
vote of confidence 25 September 2009
Next scheduled election: 28 November 2010
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
| RELIGIONS |
Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Republic with 32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala
autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala); Legal system is based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of
legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 NOTE- As
Parliamentary Speaker, Ghimpu was appointed to succeed Vladimir Voronin following his resignation as president, until elections
can be held; the parliament twice failed to elect a president in 2009 and must wait until at least late 2010 to dissolve itself and hold
new presidential elections, given that the constitution forbids parliament from being dissolved more than twice in a 12-month period;
Next scheduled election: 28 November 2010
Legislative: Unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 29 July 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
Judicial: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)
autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala); Legal system is based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of
legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 NOTE- As
Parliamentary Speaker, Ghimpu was appointed to succeed Vladimir Voronin following his resignation as president, until elections
can be held; the parliament twice failed to elect a president in 2009 and must wait until at least late 2010 to dissolve itself and hold
new presidential elections, given that the constitution forbids parliament from being dissolved more than twice in a 12-month period;
Next scheduled election: 28 November 2010
Legislative: Unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 29 July 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
Judicial: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)
| LANGUAGES |
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
| BRIEF HISTORY |
With the notable exception of Transnistria, the territory of today's Republic of Moldova covers most of the historical region of
Bessarabia, a territory that belonged, from the 14th century and until 1812 to the Principality of Moldavia. The name Bessarabia
(Basarabia in Romanian) derives from the Wallachian family of Basarab, who once ruled over the southern part of the area. The
name originally applied only to the southern part of the territory, which corresponds in size to the modern day Budjak. The Turks
were the first to call it "Besarabya", which they began doing when they gained control of the area in 1484. The territory of
Bessarabia has been inhabited by people for thousands of years. The Indo-European invasion occurred around the year 2000 BC.
The original inhabitants were Cimmerians, and after them came Scythians. The people who settled in this area would later become
the Dacians, Getae and Thyrsagetae, these being Thracian tribes. In the 7th century BC, Greek settlers established colonies in the
region, mostly along the Black Sea coast and traded with the locals. Also, Celts settled in the southern parts of Bessarabia, their
main city being Aliobrix. The first state that included the whole of Bessarabia was the Dacian kingdom of Burebista, a contemporary
of Julius Caesar, in the 1st century BC. After his death, the state was divided into smaller pieces and was only unified in the Dacian
kingdom of Decebalus in the 1st century AD. Although this kingdom was defeated by the Roman Empire in 106, Bessarabia was
never part of the empire and the Free Dacians resisted the Roman conquerors. In 270, the Roman authorities began to withdraw
their forces from Dacia, due to the invading Goths and Carps. The Goths, a Germanic tribe, poured into the Roman Empire through
the southern part of Bessarabia (Budjak), which due to its geographic position and characteristics (mainly steppe), was swept by
various nomadic tribes. From the 5th century it was overrun in turn by the Huns, the Avars, and the Bulgars. The influence of the
Roman Empire (East Roman) did not die out until 567. From the 3rd century until the 11th century, the region was invaded
numerous times by the Goths, Huns, Avars, Bulgars, Slavs (South, i.e. Bulgarian, and Eastern), Magyars, Pechenegs, Cumans and
Mongols. The territory of Bessarabia was encompassed in dozens of ephemeral kingdoms which were disbanded when another
wave of migrants arrived. Those centuries were characterized by a terrible state of insecurity and mass movement of people. The
period was later known as the "Dark Ages" of Europe. Between the 8th and 10th centuries, the southern part of Bessarabia was
inhabitated by people from Balkan-Dunabian culture[1] (the culture of the First Bulgarian Empire). Between the 9th and 13th
centuries, Bessarabia is mentioned in European and Slav chronicles as part of Bolohoveni (north) and Brodnici (south) Voevodates,
believed by some authors to be Vlach (Romanian) principalities of the early Middle Ages. After 1343 and the defeat of Mongols,
the region was included in the principality of Moldavia, which by 1392 established control over the fortresses of Cetatea Albă and
Chilia, its eastern border becoming the river Dnister (Nistru in Romanian). In the latter part of the 14th century, the southern part of
the region was for several decades part of Wallachia. The main dynasty of Wallachia was called Basarab, from which the current
name of the region originated. In 1484 , the Turks invaded and captured Chilia and Cetatea Albă (Akkerman in Turkish), and
annexed the shoreline southern part of Bessarabia, which was then divided into two sanjaks (districts) of the Ottoman Empire. The
political entity known as Moldavia was founded in the mid-14th century by the Romanian leader Dragoş of Maramureş, who had
been ordered by the Hungarian king to establish a defense line for the Kingdom of Hungary against the Tatars. Bogdan I became
the first independent prince of Moldavia when he rejected Hungarian authority in 1359. In 1387 it became a vassal of Poland. The
greatest Moldavian prince was Ştefan cel Mare, (Stephen the Great), who ruled from 1457-1504. Ştefan was succeeded by weak
princes so that by 1512 Moldavia became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. The territory of Moldavia often was a transit or war
zone during conflicts between the Ottomans, Crimean Tatars, and Russians. In 1774 the territory became a Russian protectorship
while remaining formally a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. By the Treaty of Bucharest following the Russo-Turkish War (1806-
1812), Moldavia lost Bessarabia to Russia. By the Treaty of Bucharest of May 28, 1812 — concluding the Russo-Turkish War,
1806-1812 — the Ottoman Empire ceded the eastern half of the Principality of Moldavia to the Russian Empire. That region was
then called Bessarabia. Prior to this year, the name was used only for approximately its southern one quarter, which was already
under direct Ottoman control ever since 1484. At the end of the Crimean War, in 1856, by the Treaty of Paris, two districts of
southern Bessarabia were returned to Moldavia, Russia lost access to the Danube river. After the Russian Revolution, a Romanian
nationalist movement started to develop in Bessarabia. In the chaos brought by the Russian revolution of October 1917, a National
Council (Sfatul Ţării) was established in Bessarabia, with 120 members elected by some political and professional organizations
[citation needed] from Bessarabia and 10 elected from Transnistria (the left shore of the river Dnister). The new body declared the
independence of the Republic of Moldova on December 2, 1917. On the request of the new Moldovan administration, on
December 13, Romanian troops entered Bessarabia. On March 27, 1918 there was a vote for the unification with Romania. After
the creation of the Soviet Union in December 1922, the Soviet government moved in 1924 to establish the Moldavian Autonomous
Oblast on the lands to the east of the Dniester River in the Ukrainian SSR. The capital of the oblast was Balta, situated in present-
day Ukraine. Seven months later, the oblast was upgraded to the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (Moldavian
ASSR or MASSR), even though its population was only 30% ethnic Romanian. The capital remained at Balta until 1929, when it
was moved to Tiraspol. Allied with Nazi Germany, Romania subsequently recaptured and reintegrated the annexed territory by July
1941. Ignoring the counsel of Iuliu Maniu and Dinu Brătianu, Antonescu pushed beyond Romania's historical borders, becoming a
de facto aggressor. This action was to have grave consequences for Romania after the war. By April 1944, Transnistria was back in
the hands of the Soviets. Although King Mihai instituted a coup deposing Antonescu, it was too little, too late to save the territories
the Soviets had previously annexed. With Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina again under Soviet occupation, the peace treaty
signed in February 1947 fixed the Romanian-Soviet border along the Prut River. The territory remained part of the USSR after
WWII as the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic and the state imposed a harsh denationalization policy toward the native
Romanian population. In 1970s and '80s Moldova received substantial investment from the budget of the USSR to develop
industrial, scientific facilities, as well as housing. The year 1989 saw the formation of the Moldovan Popular Front (commonly called
the Popular Front), an association of independent cultural and political groups that had finally gained official recognition. The first
democratic elections to the Moldavian SSR's Supreme Soviet were held 25 February 1990. In August 1990 the Gagauz declared a
separate "Gagauz Republic" (Gagauz-Yeri) in the south, around the city of Comrat. In September the people on the east bank of the
Dniester River (with mostly Slavic population) proclaimed the "Dnestr Moldavian Republic" (commonly called the "Dnestr
Republic") in Transnistria, with its capital at Tiraspol. In May 1991, the country's official name was changed to the Republic of
Moldova (Republica Moldova). The name of the Supreme Soviet also was changed, to the Moldovan Parliament. On 27 August
1991, following the coup's collapse, Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union. In the 2001 elections a pro-
Russian Communist party won majority of seats in the Parliament and appointed a Communist president, Vladimir Voronin.
Nevertheless, after a few years in power, the relationship between Moldova and Russia deteriorated over the Transnistrian conflict.
In the following election of 2005, the Communist party was re-elected on a pro-Western platform, stressing the need for European
integration. Since Romania joined the European Union in 2007 and imposed visa for Moldavian citizens, as many as 800.000
Moldavian citizens have applied for Romanian citizenship
Source: Wikipedia: History of Moldova
Bessarabia, a territory that belonged, from the 14th century and until 1812 to the Principality of Moldavia. The name Bessarabia
(Basarabia in Romanian) derives from the Wallachian family of Basarab, who once ruled over the southern part of the area. The
name originally applied only to the southern part of the territory, which corresponds in size to the modern day Budjak. The Turks
were the first to call it "Besarabya", which they began doing when they gained control of the area in 1484. The territory of
Bessarabia has been inhabited by people for thousands of years. The Indo-European invasion occurred around the year 2000 BC.
The original inhabitants were Cimmerians, and after them came Scythians. The people who settled in this area would later become
the Dacians, Getae and Thyrsagetae, these being Thracian tribes. In the 7th century BC, Greek settlers established colonies in the
region, mostly along the Black Sea coast and traded with the locals. Also, Celts settled in the southern parts of Bessarabia, their
main city being Aliobrix. The first state that included the whole of Bessarabia was the Dacian kingdom of Burebista, a contemporary
of Julius Caesar, in the 1st century BC. After his death, the state was divided into smaller pieces and was only unified in the Dacian
kingdom of Decebalus in the 1st century AD. Although this kingdom was defeated by the Roman Empire in 106, Bessarabia was
never part of the empire and the Free Dacians resisted the Roman conquerors. In 270, the Roman authorities began to withdraw
their forces from Dacia, due to the invading Goths and Carps. The Goths, a Germanic tribe, poured into the Roman Empire through
the southern part of Bessarabia (Budjak), which due to its geographic position and characteristics (mainly steppe), was swept by
various nomadic tribes. From the 5th century it was overrun in turn by the Huns, the Avars, and the Bulgars. The influence of the
Roman Empire (East Roman) did not die out until 567. From the 3rd century until the 11th century, the region was invaded
numerous times by the Goths, Huns, Avars, Bulgars, Slavs (South, i.e. Bulgarian, and Eastern), Magyars, Pechenegs, Cumans and
Mongols. The territory of Bessarabia was encompassed in dozens of ephemeral kingdoms which were disbanded when another
wave of migrants arrived. Those centuries were characterized by a terrible state of insecurity and mass movement of people. The
period was later known as the "Dark Ages" of Europe. Between the 8th and 10th centuries, the southern part of Bessarabia was
inhabitated by people from Balkan-Dunabian culture[1] (the culture of the First Bulgarian Empire). Between the 9th and 13th
centuries, Bessarabia is mentioned in European and Slav chronicles as part of Bolohoveni (north) and Brodnici (south) Voevodates,
believed by some authors to be Vlach (Romanian) principalities of the early Middle Ages. After 1343 and the defeat of Mongols,
the region was included in the principality of Moldavia, which by 1392 established control over the fortresses of Cetatea Albă and
Chilia, its eastern border becoming the river Dnister (Nistru in Romanian). In the latter part of the 14th century, the southern part of
the region was for several decades part of Wallachia. The main dynasty of Wallachia was called Basarab, from which the current
name of the region originated. In 1484 , the Turks invaded and captured Chilia and Cetatea Albă (Akkerman in Turkish), and
annexed the shoreline southern part of Bessarabia, which was then divided into two sanjaks (districts) of the Ottoman Empire. The
political entity known as Moldavia was founded in the mid-14th century by the Romanian leader Dragoş of Maramureş, who had
been ordered by the Hungarian king to establish a defense line for the Kingdom of Hungary against the Tatars. Bogdan I became
the first independent prince of Moldavia when he rejected Hungarian authority in 1359. In 1387 it became a vassal of Poland. The
greatest Moldavian prince was Ştefan cel Mare, (Stephen the Great), who ruled from 1457-1504. Ştefan was succeeded by weak
princes so that by 1512 Moldavia became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. The territory of Moldavia often was a transit or war
zone during conflicts between the Ottomans, Crimean Tatars, and Russians. In 1774 the territory became a Russian protectorship
while remaining formally a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. By the Treaty of Bucharest following the Russo-Turkish War (1806-
1812), Moldavia lost Bessarabia to Russia. By the Treaty of Bucharest of May 28, 1812 — concluding the Russo-Turkish War,
1806-1812 — the Ottoman Empire ceded the eastern half of the Principality of Moldavia to the Russian Empire. That region was
then called Bessarabia. Prior to this year, the name was used only for approximately its southern one quarter, which was already
under direct Ottoman control ever since 1484. At the end of the Crimean War, in 1856, by the Treaty of Paris, two districts of
southern Bessarabia were returned to Moldavia, Russia lost access to the Danube river. After the Russian Revolution, a Romanian
nationalist movement started to develop in Bessarabia. In the chaos brought by the Russian revolution of October 1917, a National
Council (Sfatul Ţării) was established in Bessarabia, with 120 members elected by some political and professional organizations
[citation needed] from Bessarabia and 10 elected from Transnistria (the left shore of the river Dnister). The new body declared the
independence of the Republic of Moldova on December 2, 1917. On the request of the new Moldovan administration, on
December 13, Romanian troops entered Bessarabia. On March 27, 1918 there was a vote for the unification with Romania. After
the creation of the Soviet Union in December 1922, the Soviet government moved in 1924 to establish the Moldavian Autonomous
Oblast on the lands to the east of the Dniester River in the Ukrainian SSR. The capital of the oblast was Balta, situated in present-
day Ukraine. Seven months later, the oblast was upgraded to the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (Moldavian
ASSR or MASSR), even though its population was only 30% ethnic Romanian. The capital remained at Balta until 1929, when it
was moved to Tiraspol. Allied with Nazi Germany, Romania subsequently recaptured and reintegrated the annexed territory by July
1941. Ignoring the counsel of Iuliu Maniu and Dinu Brătianu, Antonescu pushed beyond Romania's historical borders, becoming a
de facto aggressor. This action was to have grave consequences for Romania after the war. By April 1944, Transnistria was back in
the hands of the Soviets. Although King Mihai instituted a coup deposing Antonescu, it was too little, too late to save the territories
the Soviets had previously annexed. With Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina again under Soviet occupation, the peace treaty
signed in February 1947 fixed the Romanian-Soviet border along the Prut River. The territory remained part of the USSR after
WWII as the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic and the state imposed a harsh denationalization policy toward the native
Romanian population. In 1970s and '80s Moldova received substantial investment from the budget of the USSR to develop
industrial, scientific facilities, as well as housing. The year 1989 saw the formation of the Moldovan Popular Front (commonly called
the Popular Front), an association of independent cultural and political groups that had finally gained official recognition. The first
democratic elections to the Moldavian SSR's Supreme Soviet were held 25 February 1990. In August 1990 the Gagauz declared a
separate "Gagauz Republic" (Gagauz-Yeri) in the south, around the city of Comrat. In September the people on the east bank of the
Dniester River (with mostly Slavic population) proclaimed the "Dnestr Moldavian Republic" (commonly called the "Dnestr
Republic") in Transnistria, with its capital at Tiraspol. In May 1991, the country's official name was changed to the Republic of
Moldova (Republica Moldova). The name of the Supreme Soviet also was changed, to the Moldovan Parliament. On 27 August
1991, following the coup's collapse, Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union. In the 2001 elections a pro-
Russian Communist party won majority of seats in the Parliament and appointed a Communist president, Vladimir Voronin.
Nevertheless, after a few years in power, the relationship between Moldova and Russia deteriorated over the Transnistrian conflict.
In the following election of 2005, the Communist party was re-elected on a pro-Western platform, stressing the need for European
integration. Since Romania joined the European Union in 2007 and imposed visa for Moldavian citizens, as many as 800.000
Moldavian citizens have applied for Romanian citizenship
Source: Wikipedia: History of Moldova
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable
climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring
fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian
energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut
off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing. In January 2009, gas supplies were cut
during a dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its
decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006-07. However, in 2008 growth
exceeded 7%, boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital investment, and strong domestic demand driven
by remittances from abroad. The country reversed course again in 2009, due to the onset of the global financial crisis and poor
economic conditions in Moldova's main foreign markets, which dramatically decreased remittances. GDP fell about 8% in 2009.
Unemployment almost doubled and inflation disappeared - at 0%, a record low. Moldova's IMF agreement expired in May 2009.
In fall 2009, the IMF allocated $186 million to Moldova to cover its immediate budgetary needs, and the government signed an
new agreement with the IMF in January 2010 for a program worth $574 million. Economic reforms have been slow because of
corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration
has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia will
encourage higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success
depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy is making a modest recovery in 2010 but remains vulnerable to
political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and
the skepticism of foreign investors as well as the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Moldova)
climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring
fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian
energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut
off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing. In January 2009, gas supplies were cut
during a dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its
decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006-07. However, in 2008 growth
exceeded 7%, boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital investment, and strong domestic demand driven
by remittances from abroad. The country reversed course again in 2009, due to the onset of the global financial crisis and poor
economic conditions in Moldova's main foreign markets, which dramatically decreased remittances. GDP fell about 8% in 2009.
Unemployment almost doubled and inflation disappeared - at 0%, a record low. Moldova's IMF agreement expired in May 2009.
In fall 2009, the IMF allocated $186 million to Moldova to cover its immediate budgetary needs, and the government signed an
new agreement with the IMF in January 2010 for a program worth $574 million. Economic reforms have been slow because of
corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration
has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia will
encourage higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success
depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy is making a modest recovery in 2010 but remains vulnerable to
political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and
the skepticism of foreign investors as well as the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Moldova)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Moldova's transition to democracy initially had been impeded by an ineffective Parliament, the lack of a new constitution, a
separatist movement led by the Gagauz (Christian Turkic) minority in the south, and unrest in the Transnistria region on the left bank
of the Dniester river, where a separatist movement assisted by uniformed Russian military forces in the region and led by supporters
of the 1991 coup attempt in Moscow declared a "Dniester republic."
Since his election, President Voronin has proceeded with Lucinschi's plans to privatize several important state-owned industries,
and even has on occasion broken with his own party over important issues. However, under President Voronin, relations with
Romania had worsened. Tensions arose, when the President continued to maintain a separate Moldovan identity from that of
Romania. The Romanian language in Moldova has come to be called "Moldovan", when in fact it is almost the same as Romanian.
In 2007 the Moldovan government did not allow Romania to open two consulates in major cities of Moldova, Bălţi and Cahul, that
were intended to simplify the acquisition of Romanian visas for the Moldovan populace.
In the Moldovan parliamentary election, July 2009, the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova, gained around 45% of
the vote, whilst the other four parties which won seats each gained from around 7% to 16%. However, combined, the opposition
parties to the Communists secured a greater percentage of the vote, and are now in discussion over forming a coalition. This has led
some commentators to declare the election a loss for the Communists.
After the constitutional referendum failed to meet the 33% turnout required to validate the results, the Constitutional Court of
Moldova ruled that acting president of Moldova, Mihai Ghimpu had to dissolve the parliament and hold new elections. Ghimpu then
announced that the parliament will be dissolved on 28 September 2010 and new elections will be held on 28 November 2010.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Moldova
separatist movement led by the Gagauz (Christian Turkic) minority in the south, and unrest in the Transnistria region on the left bank
of the Dniester river, where a separatist movement assisted by uniformed Russian military forces in the region and led by supporters
of the 1991 coup attempt in Moscow declared a "Dniester republic."
Since his election, President Voronin has proceeded with Lucinschi's plans to privatize several important state-owned industries,
and even has on occasion broken with his own party over important issues. However, under President Voronin, relations with
Romania had worsened. Tensions arose, when the President continued to maintain a separate Moldovan identity from that of
Romania. The Romanian language in Moldova has come to be called "Moldovan", when in fact it is almost the same as Romanian.
In 2007 the Moldovan government did not allow Romania to open two consulates in major cities of Moldova, Bălţi and Cahul, that
were intended to simplify the acquisition of Romanian visas for the Moldovan populace.
In the Moldovan parliamentary election, July 2009, the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova, gained around 45% of
the vote, whilst the other four parties which won seats each gained from around 7% to 16%. However, combined, the opposition
parties to the Communists secured a greater percentage of the vote, and are now in discussion over forming a coalition. This has led
some commentators to declare the election a loss for the Communists.
After the constitutional referendum failed to meet the 33% turnout required to validate the results, the Constitutional Court of
Moldova ruled that acting president of Moldova, Mihai Ghimpu had to dissolve the parliament and hold new elections. Ghimpu then
announced that the parliament will be dissolved on 28 September 2010 and new elections will be held on 28 November 2010.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Moldova
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away
Transnistria region, which remains under OSCE supervision
Transnistria region, which remains under OSCE supervision
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from
Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic
activity
Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic
activity
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Moldova
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Moldova is a republic with a form of parliamentary democracy. The country has an estimated total population of 3.95 million, including
532,000 in the secessionist-controlled region of Transnistria. An estimated 900,000 citizens, including approximately 250,000
Transnistrians, lived outside the country. The constitution provides for a multiparty democracy with legislative and executive branches,
as well as an independent judiciary and a clear separation of powers between them; however, under the previous government led by the
Party of Communists (PCRM), which was in power until September 25, the three branches of government were heavily influenced by
the president. On April 5, the country held parliamentary elections that failed to fully comply with international standards. In that election
the ruling PCRM increased its previous majority in parliament. Following that parliament's failure to elect a president, as prescribed by
law, new parliamentary elections took place on July 29, and the four opposition parties won enough seats to establish a governing
coalition, known as the Alliance for European Integration, which entered office on September 25. International observers noted some of
the same problems in the July elections as in April but also reported improvement in the electoral process. On September 11, parliament
appointed Mihai Ghimpu interim president. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
Security forces committed killings and engaged in widespread beatings and unlawful detentions during and after the April 7-8
election-related protests. Security forces beat persons in custody and while apprehending them, and they held some persons in
incommunicado detention. Prison conditions remained harsh. Under the previous government, security forces occasionally harassed and
intimidated the political opposition and media. There were reports of police corruption, arbitrary detention by police, and occasional
illegal searches. The government attempted to influence the media and intimidate journalists, maintained some restrictions on freedom of
assembly, and refused official registration to some religious groups. Judicial corruption was a problem. Persistent societal violence and
discrimination against women and children, trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation and men for labor, discrimination
against Roma, difficulties registering minority religious groups, limits on workers' rights, and child labor were also reported.
Following the April 5 parliamentary election and announcement that the PCRM had increased its majority, a group of between 10,000
and 15,000 persons gathered in Chisinau on April 7 to protest the election results. Protesters initially demonstrated peacefully, and police
largely stood by and did not intervene. During the course of the day, a small group of demonstrators began to throw rocks at the police.
Violence intensified as protestors set fire to the parliament building and severely damaged the presidential building. Several protesters and
approximately 200 police officers were injured. After midnight, as police used force in an attempt to disperse the remaining
demonstrators; human rights groups alleged that security forces killed as many as three persons. That night and during the days that
followed, police arrested more than 300 demonstrators; many reported being beaten and abused while being taken into custody and while
in detention. During the days that followed, security forces conducted a campaign of harassment and intimidation against members of
the political opposition, journalists, and others assumed to be opponents of the PCRM government. Plainclothes police abducted and
detained persons suspected of involvement in the protests. Security forces beat journalists and destroyed cameras; plainclothes police
abducted and detained the editor of an independent newspaper. Police visited high schools and universities, seeking the identities of
protesters and threatening students with expulsion if they participated in protests. Following the disturbances on the night of April 7-8,
crowds declined rapidly, and demonstrations ceased within a few days. The arbitrary arrests also ceased.
In 1990 separatists supported by Soviet military forces declared a "Transdniester Moldovan Republic" (Transnistria) in the area along the
eastern border with Ukraine. The central government had very limited authority in the region, and Transnistrian authorities governed
through parallel administrative structures. The most commonly spoken language in the region was Russian, although many
Transnistrians spoke Romanian and Ukrainian as their mother tongue. A 1992 ceasefire agreement established a tripartite peacekeeping
force composed of Moldovan, Russian, and Transnistrian units. Transnistrian residents were prevented from voting in both rounds of
Moldova's parliamentary elections in April and July. Transnistrian authorities held "legislative" elections in 2005 and "presidential"
elections in 2006. Transnistrian elections were neither recognized nor monitored by international organizations.
In Transnistria authorities restricted the ability of residents to freely change their government and interfered with the ability of Moldovan
citizens living in Transnistria to vote in Moldovan elections. Transnistrian residents were expected to vote in the 2005 and 2006
Transnistrian elections, but some individuals were unable to freely run as candidates, while authorities prevented the media from
reporting freely on candidates or issues. Torture and arbitrary arrest and detention continued to be reported, and prison conditions
remained harsh. Transnistrian authorities continued to harass independent media and opposition lawmakers; restrict freedom of
association, movement, and religion; and discriminate against Romanian speakers. Trafficking in persons was a problem.
Click here to read more »
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Moldova is a republic with a form of parliamentary democracy. The country has an estimated total population of 3.95 million, including
532,000 in the secessionist-controlled region of Transnistria. An estimated 900,000 citizens, including approximately 250,000
Transnistrians, lived outside the country. The constitution provides for a multiparty democracy with legislative and executive branches,
as well as an independent judiciary and a clear separation of powers between them; however, under the previous government led by the
Party of Communists (PCRM), which was in power until September 25, the three branches of government were heavily influenced by
the president. On April 5, the country held parliamentary elections that failed to fully comply with international standards. In that election
the ruling PCRM increased its previous majority in parliament. Following that parliament's failure to elect a president, as prescribed by
law, new parliamentary elections took place on July 29, and the four opposition parties won enough seats to establish a governing
coalition, known as the Alliance for European Integration, which entered office on September 25. International observers noted some of
the same problems in the July elections as in April but also reported improvement in the electoral process. On September 11, parliament
appointed Mihai Ghimpu interim president. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
Security forces committed killings and engaged in widespread beatings and unlawful detentions during and after the April 7-8
election-related protests. Security forces beat persons in custody and while apprehending them, and they held some persons in
incommunicado detention. Prison conditions remained harsh. Under the previous government, security forces occasionally harassed and
intimidated the political opposition and media. There were reports of police corruption, arbitrary detention by police, and occasional
illegal searches. The government attempted to influence the media and intimidate journalists, maintained some restrictions on freedom of
assembly, and refused official registration to some religious groups. Judicial corruption was a problem. Persistent societal violence and
discrimination against women and children, trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation and men for labor, discrimination
against Roma, difficulties registering minority religious groups, limits on workers' rights, and child labor were also reported.
Following the April 5 parliamentary election and announcement that the PCRM had increased its majority, a group of between 10,000
and 15,000 persons gathered in Chisinau on April 7 to protest the election results. Protesters initially demonstrated peacefully, and police
largely stood by and did not intervene. During the course of the day, a small group of demonstrators began to throw rocks at the police.
Violence intensified as protestors set fire to the parliament building and severely damaged the presidential building. Several protesters and
approximately 200 police officers were injured. After midnight, as police used force in an attempt to disperse the remaining
demonstrators; human rights groups alleged that security forces killed as many as three persons. That night and during the days that
followed, police arrested more than 300 demonstrators; many reported being beaten and abused while being taken into custody and while
in detention. During the days that followed, security forces conducted a campaign of harassment and intimidation against members of
the political opposition, journalists, and others assumed to be opponents of the PCRM government. Plainclothes police abducted and
detained persons suspected of involvement in the protests. Security forces beat journalists and destroyed cameras; plainclothes police
abducted and detained the editor of an independent newspaper. Police visited high schools and universities, seeking the identities of
protesters and threatening students with expulsion if they participated in protests. Following the disturbances on the night of April 7-8,
crowds declined rapidly, and demonstrations ceased within a few days. The arbitrary arrests also ceased.
In 1990 separatists supported by Soviet military forces declared a "Transdniester Moldovan Republic" (Transnistria) in the area along the
eastern border with Ukraine. The central government had very limited authority in the region, and Transnistrian authorities governed
through parallel administrative structures. The most commonly spoken language in the region was Russian, although many
Transnistrians spoke Romanian and Ukrainian as their mother tongue. A 1992 ceasefire agreement established a tripartite peacekeeping
force composed of Moldovan, Russian, and Transnistrian units. Transnistrian residents were prevented from voting in both rounds of
Moldova's parliamentary elections in April and July. Transnistrian authorities held "legislative" elections in 2005 and "presidential"
elections in 2006. Transnistrian elections were neither recognized nor monitored by international organizations.
In Transnistria authorities restricted the ability of residents to freely change their government and interfered with the ability of Moldovan
citizens living in Transnistria to vote in Moldovan elections. Transnistrian residents were expected to vote in the 2005 and 2006
Transnistrian elections, but some individuals were unable to freely run as candidates, while authorities prevented the media from
reporting freely on candidates or issues. Torture and arbitrary arrest and detention continued to be reported, and prison conditions
remained harsh. Transnistrian authorities continued to harass independent media and opposition lawmakers; restrict freedom of
association, movement, and religion; and discriminate against Romanian speakers. Trafficking in persons was a problem.
Click here to read more »
20 February 2009
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Fiftieth session
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations: Republic of Moldova
A. Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the second and third periodic report of the State party, as well as the written replies to
the list of issues (CRC/C/MDA/Q/3/Add.1). The Committee also welcomes the constructive dialogue held with the high-level and multi-
sectoral delegation.
3. The Committee reminds the State party that these concluding observations should be read in conjunction with its concluding
observations adopted on 30 January 2009 on the State party’s initial report to the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in
armed conflict (CRC/C/MDA/OPAC/CO/1).
B. Follow-up measures and progress achieved by the State party
4. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of many legislative and other measures taken with a view to implementing the
Convention, including:
(a) The establishment in 2007 of the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child;
(b) The National Strategy on Child and Family Protection, which defines the priorities for child protection for the period 2003-2008;
C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention
6. The Committee notes that the State party has faced serious economic and social challenges during the past few years posed by the
transition to a market economy, including increased unemployment, poverty and corruption, which have had an especially severe impact
on children belonging to the most vulnerable segments of society.
D. Main areas of concern and recommendations
1. General measures of implementation
(arts. 4, 42 and 44, paragraph 6, of the Convention)
7. The Committee notes that several concerns and recommendations made upon the consideration of the State party’s initial report
(CRC/C/28/Add.19) have been addressed, including through the implementation of a number of projects in relation to the Committee’s
recommendations on preventing institutionalization, improving social assistance for vulnerable families with children at risk, and
reintegrating children into families and communities. It nevertheless regrets that some of its concerns and recommendations, including
those relating to issues such as the allocation of resources, child labour and juvenile justice, have not been adequately addressed or
implemented.
8. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to address those recommendations from the concluding
observations of the initial report that have not yet been implemented or sufficiently implemented.
Click here to read more »
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Fiftieth session
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations: Republic of Moldova
A. Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the second and third periodic report of the State party, as well as the written replies to
the list of issues (CRC/C/MDA/Q/3/Add.1). The Committee also welcomes the constructive dialogue held with the high-level and multi-
sectoral delegation.
3. The Committee reminds the State party that these concluding observations should be read in conjunction with its concluding
observations adopted on 30 January 2009 on the State party’s initial report to the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in
armed conflict (CRC/C/MDA/OPAC/CO/1).
B. Follow-up measures and progress achieved by the State party
4. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of many legislative and other measures taken with a view to implementing the
Convention, including:
(a) The establishment in 2007 of the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child;
(b) The National Strategy on Child and Family Protection, which defines the priorities for child protection for the period 2003-2008;
C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention
6. The Committee notes that the State party has faced serious economic and social challenges during the past few years posed by the
transition to a market economy, including increased unemployment, poverty and corruption, which have had an especially severe impact
on children belonging to the most vulnerable segments of society.
D. Main areas of concern and recommendations
1. General measures of implementation
(arts. 4, 42 and 44, paragraph 6, of the Convention)
7. The Committee notes that several concerns and recommendations made upon the consideration of the State party’s initial report
(CRC/C/28/Add.19) have been addressed, including through the implementation of a number of projects in relation to the Committee’s
recommendations on preventing institutionalization, improving social assistance for vulnerable families with children at risk, and
reintegrating children into families and communities. It nevertheless regrets that some of its concerns and recommendations, including
those relating to issues such as the allocation of resources, child labour and juvenile justice, have not been adequately addressed or
implemented.
8. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to address those recommendations from the concluding
observations of the initial report that have not yet been implemented or sufficiently implemented.
Click here to read more »
Freedom In The World 2010 Report (combining separate reports for Moldova and Transnistria)
Political Rights Score: 3 (Transnistria: 6)
Civil Liberties Score: 4 (Transnistria: 6)
Status: Partly Free (Transnistria: Not Free)
Ratings Change
Moldova’s political rights rating improved from 4 to 3 due to parliamentary elections that resulted in a rotation of power
between the long-ruling Communist Party and a coalition of opposition parties..
Overview
The ruling PCRM won 60 seats in April 2009 parliamentary elections, though international monitors noted flaws in the voter lists,
intimidation and harassment of opposition parties, and media bias, among other problems. Three opposition parties also won
representation: the Liberal Party (PL) and the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), each with 15 seats, and the Our Moldova Alliance
(AMN), with 11. The results triggered youth-led protests in the capital on the day after the balloting, and the demonstrations turned
violent on the second day, with some protesters ransacking government buildings. Police responded with beatings and hundreds of
arrests, and three suspected deaths at the hands of police were reported.
After convening in September, the new AIE-led Parliament began repairing relations with Bucharest. Voronin had blamed the April rioting
on Romania, expelling the country’s ambassador and imposing visa requirements on Romanian travelers; Romania had responded by
making it easier for Moldovans to obtain Romanian citizenship. Among other steps, the AIE quickly reversed the visa rule and overturned
a law barring public servants from holding dual citizenship.
Moldova is an electoral democracy. Voters elect the 101-seat unicameral Parliament by proportional representation for four-year terms.
Since 2000, Parliament has elected the president, who serves for up to two four-year terms. His choice for prime minister must then be
approved by Parliament.
Russian president Dmitri Medvedev hosted a meeting between Moldovan president Vladimir Voronin and Transnistrian president Igor
Smirnov in March 2009, and the three leaders signed a declaration that effectively endorsed a continued Russian troop presence in
Transnistria until a political settlement on the breakaway region’s status could be reached. Follow-up talks between Voronin and Smirnov
were scuttled later that month, however, and an opposition victory in Moldovan elections in July added a new element of uncertainty to
the negotiation process.
Residents of Transnistria cannot elect their leaders democratically, and they are unable to participate freely in Moldovan elections. While
the PMR maintains its own legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, no country recognizes its independence. Both the
president and the 43-seat, unicameral Supreme Council are elected to five-year terms. Having won reelection in December 2006 with 82
percent of the vote, Igor Smirnov is now serving his fourth term as president, and he has said that he will not step down until
Transnistria is independent. The international community has generally considered the presidential and parliamentary elections held since
1992 to be neither free nor fair, although they have not been monitored.
Click here to read more from Moldova» Click here to read more from Transnistria»
Political Rights Score: 3 (Transnistria: 6)
Civil Liberties Score: 4 (Transnistria: 6)
Status: Partly Free (Transnistria: Not Free)
Ratings Change
Moldova’s political rights rating improved from 4 to 3 due to parliamentary elections that resulted in a rotation of power
between the long-ruling Communist Party and a coalition of opposition parties..
Overview
The ruling PCRM won 60 seats in April 2009 parliamentary elections, though international monitors noted flaws in the voter lists,
intimidation and harassment of opposition parties, and media bias, among other problems. Three opposition parties also won
representation: the Liberal Party (PL) and the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), each with 15 seats, and the Our Moldova Alliance
(AMN), with 11. The results triggered youth-led protests in the capital on the day after the balloting, and the demonstrations turned
violent on the second day, with some protesters ransacking government buildings. Police responded with beatings and hundreds of
arrests, and three suspected deaths at the hands of police were reported.
After convening in September, the new AIE-led Parliament began repairing relations with Bucharest. Voronin had blamed the April rioting
on Romania, expelling the country’s ambassador and imposing visa requirements on Romanian travelers; Romania had responded by
making it easier for Moldovans to obtain Romanian citizenship. Among other steps, the AIE quickly reversed the visa rule and overturned
a law barring public servants from holding dual citizenship.
Moldova is an electoral democracy. Voters elect the 101-seat unicameral Parliament by proportional representation for four-year terms.
Since 2000, Parliament has elected the president, who serves for up to two four-year terms. His choice for prime minister must then be
approved by Parliament.
Russian president Dmitri Medvedev hosted a meeting between Moldovan president Vladimir Voronin and Transnistrian president Igor
Smirnov in March 2009, and the three leaders signed a declaration that effectively endorsed a continued Russian troop presence in
Transnistria until a political settlement on the breakaway region’s status could be reached. Follow-up talks between Voronin and Smirnov
were scuttled later that month, however, and an opposition victory in Moldovan elections in July added a new element of uncertainty to
the negotiation process.
Residents of Transnistria cannot elect their leaders democratically, and they are unable to participate freely in Moldovan elections. While
the PMR maintains its own legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, no country recognizes its independence. Both the
president and the 43-seat, unicameral Supreme Council are elected to five-year terms. Having won reelection in December 2006 with 82
percent of the vote, Igor Smirnov is now serving his fourth term as president, and he has said that he will not step down until
Transnistria is independent. The international community has generally considered the presidential and parliamentary elections held since
1992 to be neither free nor fair, although they have not been monitored.
Click here to read more from Moldova» Click here to read more from Transnistria»
Moldova commits to international justice
13 October 2010
Moldova has taken a welcome step towards tackling gross human rights violations by ratifying the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court, said Amnesty International.
"It is good to see that Moldova has committed to international justice and working to end impunity for genocide, crimes against
humanity and war crimes," said Christopher Keith Hall, Senior Legal Adviser in the International Justice Project.
Wednesday's ratification follows more than 10 years of campaigning by Amnesty International Moldova and other civil society groups.
Moldova is now the 114th state to ratify the Rome Statute.
"Slowly but surely more countries are ratifying the Rome Statute and the impunity gaps that have denied justice to untold numbers of
victims of these horrific crimes are being closed," said Christopher Keith Hall.
However, Amnesty International expressed concern about the number of countries that have ratified the Rome Statute, but have not yet
fulfilled their commitments to the Court.
Many countries that have ratified have yet to implement the Rome Statute effectively into national law or to enter into supplementary
agreements with the Court on privileges and immunities, victim relocation and enforcement of sentences.
"Ratification is a major step, but only a first step," said Christopher Keith Hall. "In particular, national law reform is vital to ensure that
Moldova can cooperate fully with the Court and that its national courts can fulfil their obligations to investigate and prosecute cases of
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes."
Click here to read more »
13 October 2010
Moldova has taken a welcome step towards tackling gross human rights violations by ratifying the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court, said Amnesty International.
"It is good to see that Moldova has committed to international justice and working to end impunity for genocide, crimes against
humanity and war crimes," said Christopher Keith Hall, Senior Legal Adviser in the International Justice Project.
Wednesday's ratification follows more than 10 years of campaigning by Amnesty International Moldova and other civil society groups.
Moldova is now the 114th state to ratify the Rome Statute.
"Slowly but surely more countries are ratifying the Rome Statute and the impunity gaps that have denied justice to untold numbers of
victims of these horrific crimes are being closed," said Christopher Keith Hall.
However, Amnesty International expressed concern about the number of countries that have ratified the Rome Statute, but have not yet
fulfilled their commitments to the Court.
Many countries that have ratified have yet to implement the Rome Statute effectively into national law or to enter into supplementary
agreements with the Court on privileges and immunities, victim relocation and enforcement of sentences.
"Ratification is a major step, but only a first step," said Christopher Keith Hall. "In particular, national law reform is vital to ensure that
Moldova can cooperate fully with the Court and that its national courts can fulfil their obligations to investigate and prosecute cases of
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes."
Click here to read more »
Cluster Bomb Ban Reaches Ratification Milestone
Convention to Become Binding International Law on August 1
February 16, 2010
(Washington, DC) - Burkina Faso and Moldova ratified the convention banning cluster munitions on February 16, 2010, the final two
ratifications needed for it to become binding international law. The convention will now enter into force on August 1, 2010.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions was opened for signature in December 2008, and it has taken only 15 months to attain the 30
ratifications necessary for it to become binding international law.
"The short time it took to reach this milestone shows that governments have a strong desire never to see these terrible weapons used
again," said Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and co-chair of the international Cluster Munition Coalition. "But
every signatory needs to ratify, and those who haven't signed need to come on board to keep more civilian lives and limbs from being
needlessly lost."
The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions comprehensively prohibits the use, production, and transfer of cluster munitions, provides
strict deadlines for clearing affected areas and destroying stockpiled cluster munitions, and requires assistance to victims of the weapons.
Burkina Faso and Moldova deposited their instruments of ratification with the United Nations in New York today, respectively becoming
the 29th and 30th signatories to ratify, and triggering the August 1 date for entry into force.
The 30 states to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions include leaders of the "Oslo Process" diplomatic initiative, which created the
Convention (Norway, Austria, Holy See, Ireland, Mexico, and New Zealand), countries where cluster munitions have been used
(Albania, Croatia, Lao PDR, Sierra Leone, and Zambia), stockpilers of cluster munitions (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan,
Moldova, Montenegro, and Slovenia), as well as Spain, the first signatory country to complete destruction of its stockpile. Other
ratifying states are: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Luxembourg, Macedonia FYR, Malawi, Malta, Nicaragua, Niger, San Marino, and Uruguay.
"In light of this new international law, it is especially important for former users of the weapon - such as the United States, Russia, and
Israel - to re-examine their positions, which put questionable claims of military necessity above the well-documented humanitarian
damage cluster munitions cause," Goose said. "Over half of the world's states have agreed to give up cluster munitions. This is no longer
an acceptable weapon."
Click here to read more »
Convention to Become Binding International Law on August 1
February 16, 2010
(Washington, DC) - Burkina Faso and Moldova ratified the convention banning cluster munitions on February 16, 2010, the final two
ratifications needed for it to become binding international law. The convention will now enter into force on August 1, 2010.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions was opened for signature in December 2008, and it has taken only 15 months to attain the 30
ratifications necessary for it to become binding international law.
"The short time it took to reach this milestone shows that governments have a strong desire never to see these terrible weapons used
again," said Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and co-chair of the international Cluster Munition Coalition. "But
every signatory needs to ratify, and those who haven't signed need to come on board to keep more civilian lives and limbs from being
needlessly lost."
The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions comprehensively prohibits the use, production, and transfer of cluster munitions, provides
strict deadlines for clearing affected areas and destroying stockpiled cluster munitions, and requires assistance to victims of the weapons.
Burkina Faso and Moldova deposited their instruments of ratification with the United Nations in New York today, respectively becoming
the 29th and 30th signatories to ratify, and triggering the August 1 date for entry into force.
The 30 states to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions include leaders of the "Oslo Process" diplomatic initiative, which created the
Convention (Norway, Austria, Holy See, Ireland, Mexico, and New Zealand), countries where cluster munitions have been used
(Albania, Croatia, Lao PDR, Sierra Leone, and Zambia), stockpilers of cluster munitions (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan,
Moldova, Montenegro, and Slovenia), as well as Spain, the first signatory country to complete destruction of its stockpile. Other
ratifying states are: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Luxembourg, Macedonia FYR, Malawi, Malta, Nicaragua, Niger, San Marino, and Uruguay.
"In light of this new international law, it is especially important for former users of the weapon - such as the United States, Russia, and
Israel - to re-examine their positions, which put questionable claims of military necessity above the well-documented humanitarian
damage cluster munitions cause," Goose said. "Over half of the world's states have agreed to give up cluster munitions. This is no longer
an acceptable weapon."
Click here to read more »
STATEMENT by H.E. Mr. Alexandru Cujba, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the United
Nations at the General Debate of the First Committee
65th Session of the General Assembly, New York, 12 October 2010
Mr. Chairman,
To achieve genuine security at the international, regional and national levels, progress in disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear
weapons should be complemented by control and reductions of conventional arms.
In parallel with the processes of arms regulations, reduction and disarmament in weapons of mass destruction, the international
community should address issues related to production, use, trade and stockpiles of conventional weapons, including small arms and
light weapons, which fuel conflicts in different parts of the world and threaten international peace and security.
For almost two decades, since the Republic of Moldova became an independent state, the constitutional authorities of my country have
been striving to reduce and eliminate the huge amounts of weapons and ammunitions accumulated on our territory. In our endeavor, we
have been assisted and receive ongoing support from many bilateral and multilateral partners. Regretfully, due to the secessionist regime
in its Eastern part, the Republic of Moldova cannot ensure the efficient control of those obsolete stockpiles and, consequently, of the
flow of dual use goods and materials that enter or transit the Transnistrian region of Moldova.
For that reason, while highly appreciating the efforts undertaken by the EU Border Assistance Mission in cooperation with Ukrainian
authorities to jointly monitor the Transnistrian segment of the Moldovan border, we reiterate our call for an international fact-finding
mission in Transnistria in order to have a clear picture of the stockpiled weapons and ammunitions and to resume their withdrawal and
destruction, thus ensuring security in the region.
On its own part, the Republic of Moldova supports the initiatives and actions on preventing trafficking in conventional arms and illicit
trade of small arms and light weapons and pleads for continuation of negotiations of an Arms Trade Treaty, a legally binding international
instrument establishing the highest common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons, and the
full implementation of and universalisation of the Convention on the prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-
Personnel Mines and their Destruction.
Similarly, we welcome the recent entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to which the Republic of Moldova brought its
contribution. We are pleased to notice that before its entering into force a project on destruction of all such munitions in the country was
launched, in cooperation with the NGO “Norwegian People’s Aid” and we are determined to report on its successful implementation at
the First Meeting of the State Parties to the Convention to be held in Vientiane (Lao PDR) in November 2010.
Click here to read more »
Nations at the General Debate of the First Committee
65th Session of the General Assembly, New York, 12 October 2010
Mr. Chairman,
To achieve genuine security at the international, regional and national levels, progress in disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear
weapons should be complemented by control and reductions of conventional arms.
In parallel with the processes of arms regulations, reduction and disarmament in weapons of mass destruction, the international
community should address issues related to production, use, trade and stockpiles of conventional weapons, including small arms and
light weapons, which fuel conflicts in different parts of the world and threaten international peace and security.
For almost two decades, since the Republic of Moldova became an independent state, the constitutional authorities of my country have
been striving to reduce and eliminate the huge amounts of weapons and ammunitions accumulated on our territory. In our endeavor, we
have been assisted and receive ongoing support from many bilateral and multilateral partners. Regretfully, due to the secessionist regime
in its Eastern part, the Republic of Moldova cannot ensure the efficient control of those obsolete stockpiles and, consequently, of the
flow of dual use goods and materials that enter or transit the Transnistrian region of Moldova.
For that reason, while highly appreciating the efforts undertaken by the EU Border Assistance Mission in cooperation with Ukrainian
authorities to jointly monitor the Transnistrian segment of the Moldovan border, we reiterate our call for an international fact-finding
mission in Transnistria in order to have a clear picture of the stockpiled weapons and ammunitions and to resume their withdrawal and
destruction, thus ensuring security in the region.
On its own part, the Republic of Moldova supports the initiatives and actions on preventing trafficking in conventional arms and illicit
trade of small arms and light weapons and pleads for continuation of negotiations of an Arms Trade Treaty, a legally binding international
instrument establishing the highest common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons, and the
full implementation of and universalisation of the Convention on the prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-
Personnel Mines and their Destruction.
Similarly, we welcome the recent entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to which the Republic of Moldova brought its
contribution. We are pleased to notice that before its entering into force a project on destruction of all such munitions in the country was
launched, in cooperation with the NGO “Norwegian People’s Aid” and we are determined to report on its successful implementation at
the First Meeting of the State Parties to the Convention to be held in Vientiane (Lao PDR) in November 2010.
Click here to read more »
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Partnership for Human Rights
On May 9 to 15, in the capital of Republic of Moldova has started the Project on Cooperation of the Ombudsmen Offices of Republic of
Poland, Moldova and Mediator of the French Republic entitled „Partnership for Human Rights”. This Project is carried out within the
Partnership Programme for the EU Eastern Partnership Countries' Ombudsmen Cooperation 2009-2013, supported by the Polish
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Previously, during 2009, at the College of Europe in Natolin the workshop on “Observance of human rights and freedoms in the
countries included in the Eastern Partnership Programme” was held, which gathered the representatives of the Ombudsmen offices from
Moldova, Poland and France. In this regard, the following areas of action were distinguished: the Ombudsman institution model, National
Preventive Mechanism, assistance for persons who suffered damage from crime, Equal Treatment Mechanism and fight against poverty
and social exclusion.
The Centre for Human Rights of Moldova (The National Ombudsman Institute of Moldova), in partnership with the Polish Human Rights
Defender’s Office conducted a training seminar on May 10 to 14 for the representatives of the Ombudsman institution, the action of the
first stage of the project. The seminar was attended by representatives of public authorities and non-governmental organizations, who
participated actively in debates on the topics proposed in Agenda.
The main topics tackled within the five working days were some aspects of the legal framework and powers of the Polish Ombudsman,
the Ombudsman Institute of Moldova and Mediator of the French Republic, the organization and functioning of National Preventive
Mechanisms in Moldova and the Republic of Poland, assistance to persons suffering damage as a result of crimes, with presentation by
the Polish experts of the legal documents related to the topics and the experience of the Polish Ombudsman as regards the assistance to
persons who suffer damage as a result of crime.
Click here to read more »
Partnership for Human Rights
On May 9 to 15, in the capital of Republic of Moldova has started the Project on Cooperation of the Ombudsmen Offices of Republic of
Poland, Moldova and Mediator of the French Republic entitled „Partnership for Human Rights”. This Project is carried out within the
Partnership Programme for the EU Eastern Partnership Countries' Ombudsmen Cooperation 2009-2013, supported by the Polish
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Previously, during 2009, at the College of Europe in Natolin the workshop on “Observance of human rights and freedoms in the
countries included in the Eastern Partnership Programme” was held, which gathered the representatives of the Ombudsmen offices from
Moldova, Poland and France. In this regard, the following areas of action were distinguished: the Ombudsman institution model, National
Preventive Mechanism, assistance for persons who suffered damage from crime, Equal Treatment Mechanism and fight against poverty
and social exclusion.
The Centre for Human Rights of Moldova (The National Ombudsman Institute of Moldova), in partnership with the Polish Human Rights
Defender’s Office conducted a training seminar on May 10 to 14 for the representatives of the Ombudsman institution, the action of the
first stage of the project. The seminar was attended by representatives of public authorities and non-governmental organizations, who
participated actively in debates on the topics proposed in Agenda.
The main topics tackled within the five working days were some aspects of the legal framework and powers of the Polish Ombudsman,
the Ombudsman Institute of Moldova and Mediator of the French Republic, the organization and functioning of National Preventive
Mechanisms in Moldova and the Republic of Poland, assistance to persons suffering damage as a result of crimes, with presentation by
the Polish experts of the legal documents related to the topics and the experience of the Polish Ombudsman as regards the assistance to
persons who suffer damage as a result of crime.
Click here to read more »
Moldova: Model to follow ... or human rights disaster?
There are good reasons for not wanting to join Moldova. The poorest country in Europe is also the world's top exporter of forced child
prostitution. Censorship is rampant, it has "failed to build" democracy, and torture is normal. Is it any surprise that 90% want to leave?
The picture of present-day Moldova is dismal. The economy has ground to a halt and its rural people survive by subsistence, remittances
and tiny welfare payments or pensions. With near total unemployment — or employment below subsistence wages — they conduct their
transactions almost entirely by barter. The registered daily income of 80% of the population is below $1 per day.
Moldova's government consists of old-style Communist Party officials whose only experience in state planning dates from Soviet times.
Instead of working to solve the problem, the Communist Party instead imposed censorship and prohibits the press from criticizing the
authorities. As early as 2003, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe warned that "recent trends [in Moldova] clearly
indicate that the ruling party insists in keeping the mass media under strict control."
Since then, the situation has gone from bad to worse. The international Committee to Protect Journalists, a European human rights group
which monitors the lack of freedom of press, says that "Moldova is plagued by a corrupt communist government" and reports that
Moldova applies censorship to both local and foreign media. U.S.-based Freedom House downgraded the country: "Given the ongoing
deterioration in media freedom in Moldova, the rating for independent media worsens from 4.75 to 5.00."
Setting a bleak per-capita record, Moldova has already lost more than 30 cases at the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR).
Another 200 applications have been lodged by desperate Moldovan citizens, still waiting to be heard.
Organ trafficking and sexual slavery
Although formerly one of the most wealthy parts of the former Soviet Union, Moldova is today officially the poorest country in Europe.
With nearly total unemployment, the registered daily income of 80% of the population is below a dollar per day. This fact can explain
why desperate people sell their organs for money and sex trafficking is rampant. Moldovan prostitutes are now the country’s main
export.
Moldova's own statistics show that 10,000+ people leave the country each month never to return. In the past, Moldova was trading with
Russia and was valued for their agricultural resources and products. After independence this situation changed drastically. The
population became the poorest in Europe although foreign aid created a new class of prosperous Moldovan politicians. While Moldova
squandered and floundered, on the other side of the Dniester river, independent Pridnestrovie slowly but surely moved towards
prosperity.
Click here to read more>>
There are good reasons for not wanting to join Moldova. The poorest country in Europe is also the world's top exporter of forced child
prostitution. Censorship is rampant, it has "failed to build" democracy, and torture is normal. Is it any surprise that 90% want to leave?
The picture of present-day Moldova is dismal. The economy has ground to a halt and its rural people survive by subsistence, remittances
and tiny welfare payments or pensions. With near total unemployment — or employment below subsistence wages — they conduct their
transactions almost entirely by barter. The registered daily income of 80% of the population is below $1 per day.
Moldova's government consists of old-style Communist Party officials whose only experience in state planning dates from Soviet times.
Instead of working to solve the problem, the Communist Party instead imposed censorship and prohibits the press from criticizing the
authorities. As early as 2003, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe warned that "recent trends [in Moldova] clearly
indicate that the ruling party insists in keeping the mass media under strict control."
Since then, the situation has gone from bad to worse. The international Committee to Protect Journalists, a European human rights group
which monitors the lack of freedom of press, says that "Moldova is plagued by a corrupt communist government" and reports that
Moldova applies censorship to both local and foreign media. U.S.-based Freedom House downgraded the country: "Given the ongoing
deterioration in media freedom in Moldova, the rating for independent media worsens from 4.75 to 5.00."
Setting a bleak per-capita record, Moldova has already lost more than 30 cases at the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR).
Another 200 applications have been lodged by desperate Moldovan citizens, still waiting to be heard.
Organ trafficking and sexual slavery
Although formerly one of the most wealthy parts of the former Soviet Union, Moldova is today officially the poorest country in Europe.
With nearly total unemployment, the registered daily income of 80% of the population is below a dollar per day. This fact can explain
why desperate people sell their organs for money and sex trafficking is rampant. Moldovan prostitutes are now the country’s main
export.
Moldova's own statistics show that 10,000+ people leave the country each month never to return. In the past, Moldova was trading with
Russia and was valued for their agricultural resources and products. After independence this situation changed drastically. The
population became the poorest in Europe although foreign aid created a new class of prosperous Moldovan politicians. While Moldova
squandered and floundered, on the other side of the Dniester river, independent Pridnestrovie slowly but surely moved towards
prosperity.
Click here to read more>>
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| Click flag for Country Report |
Mihai Ghimpu
Acting President since 11 September 2009
Acting President since 11 September 2009
Vladimir Filat
Prime Minister since 25 September 2009
Prime Minister since 25 September 2009
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
Current situation: Moldova is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for women and girls trafficked for the
purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Moldovan women are trafficked to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western
Europe; girls and young women are trafficked within the country from rural areas to Chisinau; children are also trafficked to
neighboring countries for forced labor and begging; labor trafficking of men to work in the construction, agriculture, and service
sectors of Russia is increasingly a problem; according to an ILO report, Moldova's national Bureau of Statistics estimated that there
were likely over 25,000 Moldovan victims of trafficking for forced labor in 2008
Tier rating: Tier 3 - The Government of Moldova does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite initial efforts to combat trafficking-related complicity since the
government's reassessment on the Tier 2 Watch List in September 2008, and increased victim assistance, the government did not
demonstrate sufficiently meaningful efforts to curb trafficking-related corruption, which is a government-acknowledged problem in
Moldova; the government improved victim protection efforts, deployed more law-enforcement officers in the effort and contributed
direct financial assistance toward victim protection and assistance for the first time (2009)
purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Moldovan women are trafficked to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western
Europe; girls and young women are trafficked within the country from rural areas to Chisinau; children are also trafficked to
neighboring countries for forced labor and begging; labor trafficking of men to work in the construction, agriculture, and service
sectors of Russia is increasingly a problem; according to an ILO report, Moldova's national Bureau of Statistics estimated that there
were likely over 25,000 Moldovan victims of trafficking for forced labor in 2008
Tier rating: Tier 3 - The Government of Moldova does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite initial efforts to combat trafficking-related complicity since the
government's reassessment on the Tier 2 Watch List in September 2008, and increased victim assistance, the government did not
demonstrate sufficiently meaningful efforts to curb trafficking-related corruption, which is a government-acknowledged problem in
Moldova; the government improved victim protection efforts, deployed more law-enforcement officers in the effort and contributed
direct financial assistance toward victim protection and assistance for the first time (2009)
Valeriu Lazar
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy
since 25 September 2009
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy
since 25 September 2009
Ion Negre and Victor Osipov
Deputy Prime Ministers
since 25 September 2009
Deputy Prime Ministers
since 25 September 2009
