Political persecutions in the Republic of Moldova

Reply to Written question | Doc. 13947 | 18 January 2016

Author(s):

Committee of Ministers

Origin

Adopted at the 1244th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (13 January 2016). 2016 - First part-session

Reply to Written question

: Written question no. 695 (Doc. 13901)

1. The Committee of Ministers reiterates the obligation incumbent on all member States to respect the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.

2. During the Ministers’ Deputies’ examination of the Honourable Parliamentarian’s written question, the representative of the Republic of Moldova reiterated the importance that his authorities attach to the observance of human rights, including the freedoms of assembly and association enshrined in Article 11 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which provides an exhaustive list of the restrictions which may be placed on the exercise of this right.

3. The Committee reiterates the obligation incumbent on all member States of the Council of Europe to respect these freedoms in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention. These freedoms are closely linked to freedom of expression, which is itself guaranteed under Article 10 of the Convention.

Restrictions on these freedoms are acceptable only if they are imposed in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 11 which reads:

“2. No restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of these rights other than such as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This Article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces, of the police or of the administration of the State”.

The Committee also points out that the European Court of Human Rights may receive applications from any person who believes he or she is a victim of a violation of these rights.