Ombudsperson Mihail Cotorobai reaffirms his worry about the catastrophic size of corruption in the Republic of Moldova and believes that this phenomenon has already become a serious threat to the social and economic security of the country, hindering the realisation of human rights.

Given that the Moldovan authorities, via their actions and inactions, failed in their intention to combat this scourge and ensure good governance, the protests launched by representatives of the civil society and supported by many citizens are a natural reaction and are part of normal democratic processes, states the Ombudsperson.

In his position of Ombudsperson, Member of the first Parliament and signatory of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Moldova, Mihail Cotorobai urges the authorities to act firmly in order to investigate swiftly and efficiently the fraud in the banking system and to tackle the cases of corruption.

We need concrete results: not only criminal investigations initiated on cases of corruption, but also perpetrators brought to justice, with real execution of the imposed punishments. The period of mimed activities and mere statements should come to an end. People’s discontent and uprising has reached critical levels, because their impoverishment has reached alarming levels as well, warned the Ombudsperson.

The Ombudsperson urges the authorities to consider carefully the protesters’ requirements in order to identify ways of breaking the deadlock. In the Ombudsperson’s opinion, drastic measures are needed in order to take the institutions out of the political control, implement the law, and improve the management of public affairs.

At the same time, the Ombudsperson urges protesters not to allow violence and clashes with the police and to remain within the limits of the law. The Ombudsperson also encourages leaders of YES Platform to be open and constructive in their discussions with the Government authorities, in order not to aggravate the existing crisis.

Mihail Cotorobai will monitor carefully the development of the protests in the country’s capital city, and will stay open to intervene within the limits of his powers in order to help overcome the current crisis situation.