State institutions advance the implementation of anti-racial discrimination measures

The meeting focused on discussing the Concluding Observations issued by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in April 2024, regarding the combined periodic reports 12-14 of the Republic of Moldova. 

In her opening remarks, Valentina Olaru, State Secretary at the MER, emphasized the significance of this process: "The recommendations addressed to the Government of the Republic of Moldova by CERD are crucial for aligning our national policies with international human rights standards. They provide a clear framework for combating racial discrimination and promoting equality. They enable us to assess and improve our legislation and practices, ensuring all individuals, regardless of race, color, or ethnicity, enjoy equal rights and full protection."

The meeting was attended by Commission members from state institutions, the People's Advocate Office, the Council for Equality, and civil society representatives, including the National Association of Community Mediators, Roma Voice Coalition, Roma Ethnographic Association, Porojan Association, Amnesty International, Initiativa Pozitiva, Minority Youth Moldova, National Congress of Ukrainians in Moldova, Charity Center for Refugees, ACOPERI, and CCE KEDEM.

Iulia Votslava, Human Rights Officer at OHCHR, highlighted the importance of inter-institutional cooperation for effectively implementing CERD recommendations and reiterated the organization's support: "Given the recommendations, it's clear that a cross-sectoral approach is vital. We welcome the fact that at this meeting, in addition to the members of the Specialized Commission, representatives of civil society are also present, as civil society, through its non-governmental organizations and activists, are partners with high expertise potential. The UN Office for Human Rights is ready to provide technical assistance and expertise to the state in the implementation of the CERD recommendations."

Participants explored the actions necessary for an efficient implementation of the recommendations. They also identified the state institutions responsible for implementing these recommendations and the partner institutions in this process.

In the next steps, the Commission, with the support of the UN Office for Human Rights, will create an action plan for the implementation of the recommendations. This plan will include the necessary actions, policy documents integrating the recommendations or intended to integrate measures for their implementation, the resources required for implementation, and the associated costs. Additionally, those present at the meeting suggested establishing monitoring indicators for the action plan, and the Ministry of Education and Research will coordinate the implementation and monitoring of this plan.

The Commission, led by the Ministry of Education and Research and consisting of representatives from various institutions, aims to efficiently implement the necessary strategies to combat racial discrimination in the Republic of Moldova over the next 4 years, until the next reporting by the Republic of Moldova on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Support for improving the implementation of international recommendations is provided by OHCHR within the project "Strengthening the rights of minorities in the Republic of Moldova" funded by the EU. This project addresses key challenges faced by minorities in Moldova, focusing on improving the implementation of international recommendations, increasing the participation of minorities in public life, and improving the inclusion of data on minorities in official statistics. 

Republic of Moldova ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination on January 26, 1993, committing to implementing the treaty and the recommendations issued by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The ratification of this Convention represented significant progress in ensuring the rule of law in the Republic of Moldova, and its implementation provides a guarantee for maintaining equality before the law, offering equal protection against discriminatory actions, and combating racial barriers for the harmonious coexistence of all individuals in a state.

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For more information about the EU activities in Republic of Moldova, please visit https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan_enDelegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova | EEAS (europa.eu) (https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/moldova_en?s=223) 

UN Human Rights in Moldova assists the UN Country Team in Moldova, the authorities, the judiciary, the parliament, national human rights institutions and civil society through technical advice and capacity building activities to protect, respect, fulfill and mainstream human rights in the country. For more information about OHCHR Moldova please visit Republic of Moldova | OHCHR   (https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/moldova)