Ethnic and linguistic features appear to be conflated with a broader East-West divide, splitting Moldovan society into two larger groups: speakers of Russian and speakers of the state language, the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities says in an Opinion on the Republic of Moldova.
Moldovan authorities show a continuing commitment to the protection the rights of persons belonging to national minorities whilst also promoting their effective participation in public life. In particular, efforts have been made over the years to enhance proficiency in the state language among national minority communities. Overall, however, language barriers still exist, especially for older generations, thus impeding access to rights and contributing to a notable division of Moldovan society along ethnic and linguistic lines. Appropriate conditions for the formation of a single civic identity that is based on an inclusive narrative and respect for diversity have not yet been created.
As a result, linguistic features appear to be conflated with a broader East-West polarization, where Russian speakers are viewed as aspiring to closer ties with Russia, while speakers of the state language are regarded as supporting a pro-European agenda and even possible unification with Romania.
The report says persons belonging to national minorities have been marginalized in this polarized environment without being given adequate space to develop their own identities and positions. Minority languages are, for instance, still taught only at Russian-language schools, which leaves persons belonging to national minorities with inadequate opportunities for gaining full state language proficiency.
While comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation was adopted in 2012 and an equality body commenced its activities in 2013, stigmatization and stereotyping remain widespread in society, fuelling discriminatory attitudes towards Roma and other minorities. Roma continue to face major obstacles with respect to their equal access to rights and basic services, particularly in the areas of education, employment and housing.
The Advisory Committee of the Council of Europe recommends taking a series of immediate actions, such as to adopt and implement a long-term strategy for the formation of a civic identity that is inclusive and firmly based on respect for ethnic and linguistic diversity as an integral part of Moldovan society: to proactively accommodate the linguistic diversity of Moldova by promoting the use of minority languages, in particular those spoken by numerically smaller groups, in official communications and in topography; to ensure that the education system provides persons belonging to national minorities with effective access to full proficiency in the state language, and to systematically ensure that persons belonging to national minorities participate in all decision-making processes, especially but not exclusively in areas immediately relevant to them.
The Council of Europe is a pan-European organization focused on human rights protection.
