Several Moldovan human rights organizations, including World Movement participating organization Promo-LEX, have issued a statement expressing their concern about the methods and conditions of detainment of persons suspected to have participated in violent actions that took place in the capital of Chisinau on April 6-7.  The organizations believe that measures taken by the police and security authorities disregarded the need to protect freedom of assembly.

Parliamentary elections took place in the Republic of Moldova on April 5, and the very next day there were allegations of massive election fraud.  Protestors who had gathered made vocal claims that the elections were fraudulent, unfair, and only partially free.  The protests continued on April 7 with many more individuals joining.  During the protests, two groups formed – one peaceful and another that became violent.  The latter group set fire to the president’s and the parliament’s offices.  According to UNIMEDIA, among the protesters were provocateurs who led the crowd in acts of vandalism and violence.  

Human rights organizations assert in their statement that the authorities abused all protestors on the city square, as well as at police stations, regardless of whether there was evidence or not individuals committing violent acts.  Civil society activists have therefore called for an end to the alleged torture and persecution of these detained people.  The signatories of the statement claim that people have been arrested without any legitimate reason and have been tortured by police and other security authorities.  They believe that several rights, including rights to defend themselves at a fair trial, of assembly, and of expression, have been violated.

To read the full statement, go to: www.promolex.md/index.php?module=news&item=180&Lang=en

To read more information about the situation from Amnesty International, go to: www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/moldova-civil-society-activists-risk-arrest-20090408

To read more information about the situation from Article 19, go to: www.comunicate.md/index.php?task=articles&action=view&article_id=1518