Thank you, Mme Chair,
Norway is grateful to the Delegation of Moldova for presenting your national UPR Report as well as for your cooperation in the UPR process, and joins others in welcoming Deputy Minister Grosu and the Moldovan delegation.
According to the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) the situation for journalists is difficult in Moldova, freedom of expression is still not fully in place, and self-censorship is common. We recommend that efforts are made to fully guarantee the freedom of expression and information, in accordance with Moldova’s international obligations.
Trafficking in human beings is reported to be higher in Moldova than most other places in Europe. We therefore recommend the Moldovan authorities to intensify the fight against the perpetrators operating in the area of human trafficking.
The Amnesty International report for 2011 documents violence and even torture of prisoners in Moldovan jails. We recommend that effective investigation is undertaken into complaints of torture or ill-treatment and that all perpetrators are held accountable.
Norway recommends that Moldova implements the Law on Social Protection of Disabled Persons as well as all international obligations Moldova has agreed to regarding people who are disabled.
Regarding the human rights of children, Norway recommends that in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child appropriate conditions are created for arrested juveniles and that detention of juveniles is used only as a measure of last resort.
Norway recommends Moldova to intensify efforts to address discrimination against Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transsexual, and to investigate and prosecute crimes against LGBT-community members.
Last, but not least Ms Chair on the gender issue: Domestic violence against women reportedly is high in Moldova, and women workers still earn only ¾ of men’s wages for the same work. We are grateful to Deputy Minister Grosu for explaining the situation regarding the anti discrimination law, and recommend that the government adopts the draft anti-discrimination law with provisions prohibiting sexual harassment as soon as possible.
Thank you.