On 1 April 2012, Moldova’s Transnistrian region will start the “conscription” of young men aged 18 to 27 into its paramilitary forces. Until 10 August 2012, the young men residing in the eastern districts of the country, citizens of Moldova and of other countries, will be “called up” and “enrolled” into the so-called “Transnistrian Army”. In violation of the Moldovan Constitution and international treaties, they will be forced to “swear allegiance” to an illegitimate regime.

According to Moldova’s State Population Register, as of 1 August 2011, there were 267,312 Moldovan nationals living in the Transnistrian region. This means that the young men residing there and who have an obligation for military service before Moldova are forced to serve an illegal “military service”.

The young men who avoid “conscription” into these paramilitary forces face prosecution and eventually are sentenced to pay fines of up to $600 or serve up to 2 years in prison. In a similar situation are those young men who object to military service for religious, pacifistic, humanitarian, ethic, moral or any other similar reasons. Once “enrolled” into the so-called army, the young men face inhuman and degrading treatment, torture and forced labor. There were also registered cases of death, ill-treatment, abuse and swindling among conscripts.

The Promo-LEX Association believes that the so-called “conscription” into the paramilitary forces is illegal and amounts to unlawful deprivation of freedom, manifested in prolonged detention in the “military units”.

Considering the above, the Promo-LEX Association urges the Moldovan legitimate authorities:

– to ensure protection and guarantee the rights of all the young men liable to military service living in Moldova’s Transnistrian region;
– to investigate how the young men are recruited and “enrolled” into these illegal forces and bring those responsible to justice;
– to organize information campaigns for young men on their military rights and obligations;
– to stop the discriminatory treatment of the young men living in the Transnistrian region as required by the Constitution and national laws; and
– to address the issue of the illegal “conscription” within political negotiations.

For more detailed information please contact: Alexandru Postica, Lawyer, Promo-LEX Association,
Phone: (22) 31 09 45, GSM: 069104851, e-mail: [email protected]