The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the right to the freedom of assembly and association was violated in the case of Promo-LEX and others versus Moldova. The members of civil society complained to the ECHR after the authorities in 2009 didn’t intervene when they were ill-treated during a peaceful protest, IPN reports.

On February 3, 2009, representatives of Promo-LEX Association and of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CReDO), alongside members of other civil society organizations, took part in a peaceful protest mounted in front of the Prosecutor General’s Office in support of democracy and the human rights in Moldova. The protesters included Igor Grosu, who later filed a complaint to the ECHR.

Shortly after the event started, the protesters were attacked with teargas by a group of masked individuals. A fight was caused, which resulted in different bodily injuries among the protesters. Though the altercations happened in front of the Prosecutor General’s Office and a call was made to 902, the police refused to intervene to stop the violence and restore public order and to objectively document this case.

The applicants - Promo-LEX and CReDO – didn’t demand damages, noting that the recognition of the violation would be an equitable satisfaction, while Igor Grosu is to receive €1,000 in respect of non-pecuniary damage.

The ECHR ascertained the violation of the freedom of assembly and association and of the right to an effective remedy.