Representatives of the public movement “Motherland – Eurasian Union” consider that the decision of the Comrat court to declare the organization of a referendum on Moldova’s foreign policy course in Gagauzia, which was set for February 2, as illegal is political.
In a news conference at IPN, the NGO’s head Igor Tuleantsev said that he and his colleagues are concerned about the created situation. By their actions, the central authorities provoke separatist manifestations among the minority population of the Territorial Autonomous Unit of Gagauzia.
According to Igor Tuleantsev, the decision to hold a referendum was taken by the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, which is the legislative body of the region, and represents a right given by the legislation on the special legal status of the autonomous unit. In 1992, such problems appeared in relation to the Transnistrian region and led to an armed conflict. If the central authorities continue to violate the rights of the national minorities of Gagauzia, the scenario of 1992 can repeat in the southern region.
The organization’s deputy head Igor Kucher considers that the Comrat court’s decision to ban the holding of the referendum marks the beginning of the politicization of the legal system of Moldova. More decisions of the kind can be witnessed this year. The public movement “Motherland – Eurasian Union” wants to hear the opinion of the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola about authorities’ actions in relation to Gagauzia.
Vulcanesti town councilor Alexandr Bejenari said the policy pursued by the central authorities is not understood by those from Gagauzia. If the power continues to violate the rights of the minorities of Gagauzia, they will seek help from international organizations. The plebiscite will anyway take place as the court decision comes into force on February 3, while the referendum was arranged for February 2.
The representatives of the public movement demanded annulling the legal proceedings instituted over the organization of the referendum, saying such acts can cause a greater rupture in Moldovan society.
