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Paris 22 May 2003 - The FIDH takes note with satisfaction of
the concluding observations of the United Nations Committee
against Torture (CAT) issued on the initial report of Moldova,
which was submitted to the Committee at its 30th session.
These conclusions, issued on 14 May 2003, take up several elements
mentioned in the note submitted on this occasion by the FIDH
and the Moldovan Human Rights League. Our organisations had
denounced the obvious and systematic violations of the international
and european convention against torture that take place in Moldova.
The Committee against Torture particularly mentioned «
numerous and consistent allegations of acts of torture in police
custody », the« lack of prompt and adequate access
of persons in police custody to legal and medical assistance
» and « poor material conditions prevailing in police
detention facilities and prisons », and the absence of
any inspection in the prisons. The CAT moreover expressed preoccupation
about alleged detention of juveniles together with adults.
The CAT also insisted on the dysfunctional criminal justice
system : the lack of judicial supervision on police custody,
which depends of the Ministry of Interior, the lack of independence
of the Procuracy and the Judiciary, the discriminative judicial
system.
The CAT finally underlined the development of a culture of
impunity and the lack of formation of the law enforcement personnel.
Concerning all these points, the CAT expressed its disappointment
that the answers given by the Moldovan authorities were not
sufficient, and called upon the authorities to provide written
responses by 31 August 2003. Although some cases of torture
mentioned in the FIDH report were quoted by the members of the
Committee, the authorities did not give any answer in that regard.
The FIDH shall closely review the follow-up of those cases by
the authorities.
The FIDH calls upon the Moldovan authorities to implement the
recommendations of the CAT towards the eradication of the practice
of torture, of the impunity for the authors of such acts, and
to ensure the independence of justice. |
