Moldova must act now to promote diversity, says UN chief

Summary of story from UN News Centre, November 4, 2011

Moldovan authorities must ensure an independent judiciary, tackle discrimination and protect the rights of minorities in the country, the head of human rights for the United Nations has stated.

High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, commented on the state of human rights in Moldova at the end of a four-day visit to the country.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Chisinau, she said: “I welcomed the positive spirit of my meetings, as well as the engagement of the Government to seriously contemplate human rights reform.”

She then went on to say that she was concerned by the lack of urgency shown.

“I was nevertheless troubled by the message of some that certain groups must wait for human rights,” she added. “I have been clear in emphasizing that, where human rights are concerned, the time is now.”

Ms Pillay also noted that her visit, the first to the country by a UN human rights chief, had been a timely one.

“The country is clearly on the road to strengthening its democracy, and aims at a number of ambitious reforms.”

At the same time, she said the economic circumstances of the country are troubling.

“I saw with my own eyes the poverty and material deprivation in which many Moldovans live. Issues such as very low pay and a weak public infrastructure have serious implications for the effective realisation of economic and social rights.”

She outlined a number of concerns, including strengthening the independence of the judiciary, the need to tackle the scourge of trafficking, especially of women and girls, and protecting the rights of certain groups in the country.

“My message to the Government – and to the public – is that diversity is among our highest values. A democracy is only as strong as its ability to protect its most vulnerable,” she stated.