On 4 June 2015, People’s Advocate Mihail Cotorobai participated to a seminar organized by OSCE and APT “Implementation of preventive mandate: Ombudsmen designated as national preventive mechanisms in OSCE region ”, that took place in Warsaw.
The training was attended by representatives of 10 institutions that protect human rights in the OSCE area: Albania, Danmark, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Ucraine and Moldova. Within the workshop were discussed topics related to the challenges and opportunities of preventive approach; practice of examining complaints related to torture and ill-treatment; how are perceived by authorities or persons that are in preventive detention the Ombudsman mandates; experience of roles and responsibilities distribution of elaboration, adoption and submission of reports on NPM visits and recommendations; How the ombudsman institution conduct dialogue with authorities responsible for detention and how is monitored the implementation of NPM recommendations; cooperation with civil society, parliamentarians, representatives of academic environment.
People’s Advocate presented the of NPM activity experience as ombudsmen in our country. Mihail Cotorobai noted that the function of National for Torture Prevention has been entrusted to Ombudsman of the Republic of Moldova, starting with 2008, the formula chosen by our country for NPM was the ombudsman plus civil society, reunited in an Advisory Board. From the beginning of NPM function in Moldova so far were conducted over 1,000 visits to places where are hold or may be held detainees, these visits aiming to prevent maltreatment and make recommendations designed to improve the situation of persons that are in state custody.
In CHRM there was a staff that performed the NPM activities. The dilemma who constitutes the Mechanism - ombudsman or Advisory Council was one of the challenges in the NPM activity. Another problem was the limited financial resources intended for the functioning of the NPM, which was partially remedied thanks to the project implemented by UNDP Moldova and the Council of Europe, which provided equipment to NPM cars, laptops, cameras, etc.
People’s Advocate made reference to practice of complaints examination and notifications on facts of torture and ill-treatment, noting that authorities of responsible institutions are responsive and take account of the NPM recommendations. Moreover, NPM activity is appreciated as substantial assistance in combating ill-treatment and elimination of conditions, factors that may lead to them.
Mihail Cotorobai also mentioned that in field of combating torture and ill-treatment were established several collaborations with representatives of civil society (Promo-LEX Association, IDOM, RCTV Memoria) so in joint organization of events for prevention of ill-treatment and promotion of zero tolerance against torture, as well in monitoring of detention places, the psycho-neurological boarding institutions. Campaigns for combat torture and ill-treatment are already in the third consecutive year organized by the Ombudsman Institution, within this are presented anti-torture spots, organized meetings, round tables, participations in radio and TV shows.
During the seminar People’s Advocate exchanged views with his counterparts from other countries or representatives of ombudsman institutions participating in this event.