The Ombudsman, Mihail Cotorobai, had a meeting with the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonović, who was visiting the Republic of Moldova in an official mission.
Ivan Šimonović mentioned that the Ombudsperson's Institution was a natural partner of the United Nations, which is why a meeting with the Ombudsperson was scheduled. The UN official asked the Ombudsperson for his opinion on the human rights challenges in the Republic of Moldova and the possible achievements made during the work he undertakes.
Mihail Cotorobai revealed that there were sufficient issues with the human rights, highlighting the difficulties linked to the efficient operation of the Ombudsperson's Institution. The Centre for Human Rights was registered in 2009 with the status “B” according to Paris Principles. Since then the Ombudspersons have aimed to reorganize the institution and get the status “A”. The reform process was long and difficult, the Law No 52 on the Ombudsperson, adopted on 3 April 2014, being imperfect and creating more difficulties in obtaining the status “A”. At the request of the Ombudsperson, the Venice Commission and CoE Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (Directorate of Human Rights) expressed their opinion on the Law No 52 and agreed that a number of important aspects of this Law should be reviewed and clarified.
Referring to the achievements made since his appointment, Mihail Cotorobai noted the importance of the international conference organized by the Ombudsperson's Institution on the occasion of five years following the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the Republic of Moldova. Following the discussions held at that meeting, the authorities started the development of an independent mechanism to monitor the Convention implementation. The Ombudsperson also noted the importance of developing and submitting to the Ombudsperson's Institution the UPR Report, and of the relations established with the human rights commissioner in Transnistria, Vasile Kaliko.
Ivan Šimonović stated that UN Institutions will continue supporting the Ombudsperson's Office, which means strengthening the rule of law, democracy and human rights in the Republic of Moldova.
