DECLARATION

The Promo-LEX association, which investigated and followed developments in the cases of the 4 young men from Oxentea, Dubăsari raion, and of the 3 young men from Răscăuţi, Ştefan Vodă raion, who were kidnapped by employees of the “security structures” and “border service” of the Transnistrian region on 27.01.2010 and 09.02.2010 respectively, welcomes the active involvement of the constitutional authorities in securing their release. These cases demonstrate that situations involving violations of citizens’ rights on the left bank of the Nistru can be resolved in a positive way, provided there exists the political will on the part of the authorities.

We note, nevertheless, that the massive armed presence in the security zone, the kidnapping of citizens, the blackmailing of victims’ relatives, the extortion of money, and the restrictions on freedom of movement, etc., show that freedom of movement, and the right to freedom and security of person are neither respected nor guaranteed within the security zone and the rest of the Transnistrian region of Moldova.

The Moldovan-Russian agreement of 21 July, 1992 thus remains a purely formal act, incapable of protecting people from numerous cases and situations in which fundamental human rights are violated. Likewise, Promo-LEX believes that the current peacekeeping format is ineffective and does not fulfil its stated duties.

Promo-LEX considers it necessary to change the current peacekeeping format by replacing troops currently deployed with civilian observers from third-party states not involved in the 1992 war. Only in such a situation will it be possible to guarantee respect for human rights and the rule of law in the security zone.

Legal Department, Promo-LEX