For 32 years, the Republic of Moldova has been hosting a peacekeeping mission on its territory, a format that remains improper and contested at international level, said experts of Promo-LEX association, who noted that the mission is composed of military contingents of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova and of representatives of the administration of the Transnistrian region. Apparently, according to them, it should have had a term of service with clear objectives and should have contributed to solving specific problems, IPN reports.
Promo-LEX’s experts said that this mission, led by the Russian military forces and subordinated to them, for over three decades has not had any positive contribution to the situation in the country, including that in the Security Zone. On the contrary, the situation has steadily deteriorated, with numerous incidents and violations of human rights committed by representatives of this improper body being recorded. On the other hand, both the Russian Federation and the administration of the region continue to promote the idea of the effectiveness of this mission. Moreover, anyone who has a different opinion in Tiraspol risks severe “criminal” punishment for criticism leveled at the “peacekeepers”.
“In the community of experts, the work of this is perceived differently. The main cause is the fact that the mission was unilaterally imposed by the Russian Federation and is made up of forces that were in conflict (Moldovan-Russian Agreement of July 21, 1992). In this connection, we cannot talk about its transparency and impartiality. The mission has neither the UN mandate nor the powers granted by the UN and, respectively, does not meet the international standards,” reads a press release issued by the association.
Over the years, the need to transform this mission into an international civilian mission has been insisted on. Discussions in this regard intensified especially after a young man from the region, Vadim Pisari, was shot dead by a Russian peacekeeper on January 1, 2012. The situation has not changed even after the European Court of Human Rights issued two judgments finding serious human rights violations committed by representatives of the peacekeeping forces. Periodically, there are various incidents involving Russian peacekeepers whose activities are covered by impunity and lack clear rules. Thus, some of the most relevant cases refer to the unjustified detention of journalists, war veterans, etc.
“The numerous incidents in the Security Zone, as well as the abuses committed by representatives of the peacekeeping forces, confirm that the current mission must be replaced by an international civilian and impartial mission, with a mandate clearly recognized by the UN and in line with international standards. This new mission should focus on protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms, promoting dialogue and creating a solid basis for a peaceful resolution of the Transnistrian equation,” said Promo-LEX.
A few days ago, a group of peacekeepers received awards and diplomas from the leadership of the General Staff at a solemn ceremony marking the 32nd anniversary of the introduction of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the Security Zone of the Republic of Moldova. The event took place at the 3rd Independent Infantry Battalion of the Peacekeeping Forces in Cosnita, Dubasari district, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the National Army, Colonel Sergiu Voinu.
