Ombudsperson Mihail Cotorobai expresses his concern about media warnings on possible attempts to hamper the participation of people from some districts of the country in the civil society protest from 6 September 2015 - the refurbished trains on Ocnita-Chisinau and Ungheni-Chisinau routes have not been put on the line on Sunday morning on the grounds that they are damaged. (http://www.jurnal.md/ro/social/2015/9/6/doua-trenuri-renovate-ungheni-chisinau-si-ocnita-chisinau-s-au-stricat-in-aceasta-dimineata/).
Warnings that Moldtelecom and some cable operators suspended in several districts Jurnal TV channel, which broadcast live the event from the Grand National Assembly Square, are another concern of the Ombudsperson on the functioning of democratic mechanisms in Republic of Moldova (http://www.jurnal.md/ro/social/2015/9/6/moldtelecom-a-sistat-transmisiunea-jurnal-tv-in-mai-multe-regiuni-ale-tarii/).
The Ombudsperson notes that freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association are fundamental human rights enshrined in the country’s Constitution and international treaties, which the Republic of Moldova is a party to, the State being obliged to guarantee and ensure their compliance.
The participation of people in social life through various actions, including protests and access to important information for the general public are not only guaranteed rights, but also a state of normality in a democratic and modern society.
Any deviations from the rules and standards of a free society shall be neither accepted, nor tolerated; and the old-days experiences of intimidating people, hampering or preventing people’s participation in the public life and their access to information of general interest are no longer accepted in a country with EU integration aspirations.
Mihail Cotorobai reminds that the right to protest, the freedom of opinion and freedom to receive or communicate information and ideas without interference by public authorities are essential elements of a democratic society.
The Ombudsperson requires the Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure, ”Railway of Moldova” State-Owned Enterprise, Broadcasting Coordination Council, Moldtelecom Joint-Stock Company to review the circumstances of the suspension of Ocnita-Chisinau and Ungheni-Chisinau trains and, respectively, suspension of Jurnal TV broadcasting for several hours on 6 September.
The Ombudsperson urges decision makers of these and of other public institutions to take the necessary measures in order to avoid future actions that could affect the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms.