Moldova: Update to MDA34623.E of 8 August 2000 on an alternative to military service; current criteria and conditions
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 19 September 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MDA39948.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Moldova: Update to MDA34623.E of 8 August 2000 on an alternative to military service; current criteria and conditions, 19 September 2002, MDA39948.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4dca0.html [accessed 22 May 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. |
According to an article from Moldova Azi news service, mandatory military service has recently been reduced from 18 to 12 months for men between the ages of 18 and 27 (19 July 2002). The article states that "legislators said there would be a separate law for the alternative service" (ibid.). No information on this anticipated new law on alternative service could be found among sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints. The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova did not respond within time constraints.
In July 2002, the United Nations Human Rights Committee stated that alternative civilian service and regular military service are of equal duration (26 July 2002).
The Moldovan parliament adopted a new criminal code on 18 April 2002 (Human Rights Without Frontiers 20 June 2002). The new code will come into force on 1 January 2003 and contains an article (art. 186) which could affect conscientious objectors on religious grounds in Moldova, by stating the following:
The organization, conducting or active participation in a group whose activity, carried out under the guise of the preaching of religious beliefs or the fulfilment of religious rituals, if it is accompanied by the causing of harm to the health of citizens or the instigation of citizens to refuse to participate in public life or the fulfilment of citizens' obligations, is to be punished by a fine of 300-700 units or imprisonment of up to 5 years (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Human Rights Without Frontiers. 20 June 2002. Felix Corley. "'Krushchevite Smell' from New Criminal Code Article." (NEXIS)
Moldova Azi. 19 July 2002. "Parliament Cuts Mandatory Military Service Down to 12 from 18 Months." United Nations Human Rights Committee. 26 July 2002. Concluding Observations of the Human Rights Committee: Republic of Moldova. Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
Keston News Agency
Nexis
Unsuccessful attempts at contacting two oral sources
Internet sites including:
European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO)
Interlic [Chisinau]
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
International Youth Projects
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
Republic of Moldova site
Transitions [Prague]
War Resisters' International
World Council of Churches
World News Connection (WNC)
