The United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, will visit the Republic of Moldova from 20 to 29 June 2016 to assess the situation of national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in the country, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the UN.
“Moldova is a multi-ethnic and multilingual country that in recent years has made important efforts towards the recognition and promotion of minority rights. Yet, it has also witnessed a number of challenges associated to the management of its diversity that require targeted attention and solutions,” the expert said.
“I consider the protection and promotion of minority rights key to achieve social and political stability in a diverse society such as the Republic of Moldova,” she added.
Izsák-Ndiaye, who visits the Republic of Moldova at the invitation of the Government, will travel to Chisinau and to regions and localities with minority populations, including the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, Balti, Edinet, Orhei, Soroca and Taraclia, as well as the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
“This visit provides a great opportunity to engage with the Moldovan Government and civil society into a constructive dialogue in order to identify current challenges but also best practices to further ensure the human rights of persons belonging to minorities,” she stressed.
The Special Rapporteur will present her preliminary findings of the visit at a press conference on 29 June 2016. Izsák-Ndiaye will present her full report on the mission to Moldova to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017.
Rita Izsák-Ndiaye (Hungary) was appointed as Independent Expert on minority issues by the Human Rights Council in June 2011 and subsequently her mandate was renewed as Special Rapporteur on minority issues in March 2014.
