Moldova faces serious challenges, top UN rights official says
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 March 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Moldova faces serious challenges, top UN rights official says, 31 March 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5768ffcdc.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 31, 2016
By RFE/RL
The UN's assistant secretary-general for human rights, Ivan Simonovic, has expressed concern over what he described as "deep divisions" in Moldova.
Wrapping up a four-day visit to Moldova on March 31, Simonovic said that "ethnic, religious, gender, political, linguistic and income" divisions "have been intensified" in the country "by widespread corruption, including a massive bank fraud scandal, and by long-standing paralysis in governance."
Simonovic also said "Moldova is faced with a problem of brain drain and social exclusion, and it is now losing its human capital."
He, however, welcomed Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip's commitment to establish new human rights monitoring structures and cooperate with officials of Moldova's ethnic Gagauz autonomous territory and breakaway region of Transdniester on human rights.
Simonovic also praised as a "positive step" a draft law that would require that 40 percent of all lawmakers be women.
Simonovic stressed the United Nations' willingness to remain engaged with developments in Moldova.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
