Round table „Combating torture in the Republic of Moldova”, Chisinau, May 24-25, 2006

During May 24-25, 2006, the Institute for Penal Reform (IRP), in collaboration with the Organisation for Securtity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Redress Trust (Seeking Reparation for Torture Survivors), Great Britain, has organised in Chisinau a round table „Combating torture in the Republic of Moldova”. The international experience in the field of torture prevention was presented by the international expert Eric Svanidze, former member of the European Committee for Torture Prevention.

At this event, representatives of  state bodies, directly involved in the process of combating torture were present (General Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Interior, Parliamentary Commission for Human Rights and National Minorities, Department of Penitentiary Institutions, Ministry of Justice, Ombudsmen etc), members of international organizations and agencies, such as Redress Trust, OSCE Mission, UNDP Moldova, ABA/CEELI), as well as representatives of the civil society who carry out activities related to the above mentioned field (IRP, CREDO, LADOM, Center for Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims „Memoria” etc.) The discussions were facilitated by the active participation of lawyers with significant experience in the field.  

The round table was structured into several work sessions: Prevention of Torture, Judicial Remedies and Access to Justice, Reparation for Torture.

In the second work day, certain conclusions and recommendations for improving the estate of things in Moldova in the field of torture prevention and combating were drafted. These will be made public, inclusively on the web site of the Institute for Penal Reform – www.irp.md

Being taken into consideration the present situation from the Republic of Moldova, reflected in the conclusions of the European Committee for Torture Prevention and in the decisions of the European Court for Human Rights against the Republic of Moldova, the round table unfolded on May 24-25, 2006 is one of the events planned to be carried out in this field in the Republic of Moldova. In this sense, a number of organisations have proved their interest for torture prevention, especially OSCE, the Institute for Penal Reform, the Department of Penitentiary Institutions etc.