NGO representatives protest wearing helmets on head

A number of non-governmental organizations repeatedly protested on Friday, February 13, in front of the General Prosecutor’s Office against the Moldovan authorities, which, according to the protesters, continue obstructing the peaceful protests. The action went on as a march to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI). The participants’ security was ensured by police this time. An ambulance was present at that place, Info-Prim Neo reports. Having placards in their hands and helmets on head, the NGO representatives scanned: “Freedom!.” About 70 persons signed a petition for supporting the freedom of assembly, which they handed to a prosecutor, who refused to name himself, but said that he registered the notification which would get to the institution’s heads. “As to the freedom of assembly, we have many deficiencies, and on this reason, the organizations which defend the human rights, the active citizens of the country try to inform the authorities that these deficiencies must be liquidated,” director of the Resource Center for Human Rights “CReDO” Sergiu Ostaf stated. “Our effort already has positive results. An example can be the decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to sanction three policemen who went beyond their duty when they forcefully arrested a person who protested peacefully in front of the Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the commitment of the ministry to promptly react to all the violations made by the law enforcers as to the right to the freedom of association,” Ostaf added. Ion Manole, the president of the Promo-Lex association, has said that the action is a response to the incidents of the other protest action which took place on February 3. “We have reacted to the incidents of February 3, because it is not normal that, in conditions of a good law, which provides for the freedom of assembly, to have a situation in which we can be aggressed. The number of people who took part in today’s protest action is three times larger than those of the action of February 3. It is real that when the law is violated, the people’s reaction is reverse, and if the law is violated, the people stands up for defending these rights,” Manole specified. Several dozens of persons, who participated in a peaceful meeting in front of the Prosecutor’s Office on February 3, were attacked by several masked men. The assailants hit them and sprayed them with paint. The incident lasted several minutes. Many persons were slightly wounded. The police declined any responsibility, complaining of not having been informed in due time by the Chisinau City Hall in order to ensure the security of the participants in the action.