On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the declaration of Moldova’s Independence, IPN News Agency decided to depict the portrait of the current Republic of Moldova. For the purpose, it provoked a number of people, including state officials, politicians, businessmen, civil rights activists and persons without posts and titles, but who have what to say. The generic picture is called “Thoughts about and for Moldova”.

Ion Manole, director of the Human Rights Association “Promo-LEX”: “Moldova’s Independence can be compared with a gift that wasn’t justly appreciated”. 

According to Ion Manole, after 25 years of Independence the Republic of Moldova looks like a divided country, both in terms of territorial integrity and the unity of its people. Society is not united and the country is divided also geopolitically: 50% of the population is pro-West, while the other 50% is pro-East. This also prevents the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict.

As regards the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol, the course of the conflict settlement process is not clear. Chisinau is not very firm and cannot formulate clear proposals as regards its position, while the internal problems affect this process even more. Not only Tiraspol, but also Moscow and particular international players profit from this. Seeing the incompetence of the constitutional authorities , these insist that Chisinau should make compromises that it should not make.

Ion Manole regrets that the human rights are neither on the agenda of Chisinau nor on the agenda of the international players that should deal with these. The regret is fueled by the fact that the people from the left bank of the Nistru, after 25 years of Independence, do not have access to equitable justice and to credible, legal and efficient human rights watchdogs.

The chance to come much closer to the EU was the biggest accomplishment during these 25 years. Such a chance appears once in 100 years. Ion Manole said we had this chance, but it seems to be fading away now and there will no such chance again in the near future. This is the biggest accomplishment, but also the biggest failure. The fact that society could not be consolidated is the second big failure. This fact is very serious and dangerous for the existence of any state. When there are radicalized groups, this is a serious reason for concern.

The expert said he could reproach the people for having too much confidence in the politicians, without making them account for what they did and without demanding to punish those to blame for particular situations. He reproaches those from power for thinking more about their own pocket and the own and group interests rather than about the national and citizens’ interests.

According to Ion Manole, the Republic of Moldova is not independent and practically never was, if only during the first few days after which things twisted and everything became very unclear. The country does not control its whole territory. Even the people have different geopolitical options and do not feel well as citizens of this state.

If a child asked him if he should be proud of this country as its citizen, Ion Manole would tell him to be proud because the country has a future yet. He also intended to leave, but didn’t do it and does not regret it because he tried to change things. The foreigners describe the Moldovans as kindhearted, hospitable, understanding and intelligent people. “I think our people are the only strong point and it is regrettable that they leave the country,” stated Ion Manole.

The expert wants Moldova to be a country with a united, tolerant society where the authorities respect the human rights, while the people struggle for them.

—
Ion Manole is a human rights expert. He heads the human rights watchdog “Promo-LEX”, which deals with the protection of human rights in the eastern districts of the Republic of Moldova – the Transnistrian region. The Association’s lawyers often represent Moldovan citizens at the ECHR.

Mariana Galben, IPN

Source: ipn.md