Moldova faces very serious challenges due to deep divisions in the country, widespread corruption and governance issues but recent reforms are showing the way forward, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonović, said on March 31 at the end of a four-day visit to the country, IPN reports, quoting the United Nations in Moldova.
“I am very concerned by the many deep divisions in Moldova, including along ethnic, religious, gender, political, linguistic and income lines. These worrying divisions have been intensified by widespread corruption, including a massive bank fraud scandal, and by long-standing paralysis in governance,” he said.
“Trust in public institutions is at a record low and it is widely recognized that oligarchs are in complete control of State institutions and the media. Weak rule of law and the absence of a common vision for the future of the country have led many citizens to leave the country. As a result, Moldova is faced with a problem of brain drain and social exclusion, and it is now losing its human capital,” said Šimonović.
According to him, despite this grim picture, 2016 begins with possibilities for change for the Moldovan people. After many months, a new Government has been formed and a new Law on the Prosecutor adopted. The Parliament is about to adopt a law which would require that 40% of Parliamentarians be women, as well as other measures to advance the rights of women. These positive steps show that the country is on the verge of opening a new chapter in its efforts to strengthen the national human rights protection system, including effective and independent rule of law institutions and a sound legal system.
