On 19 June 2013, the Parliamentary advocate Tudor Lazăr held a working meeting with the delegation of the Council of Europe Secretariat, led by Daniil Khochabo, deputy to the Director to Directorate of Political Advice, who made a documentation visit to Republic of Moldova. The delegation was accompanied by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Republic of Moldova, Ulvi Akhundlu.
The evaluation of cooperation between Moldova and the Council of Europe for 2011-2013, outlining priorities for the future implementation of assistance programs and documentation for the periodic report were the objectives of the visit.
During the meeting were discussed issues related to human rights observance in Moldova and collaboration of the Center for Human Rights of Moldova with the Council of Europe Office.
The Parliamentary advocate Tudor Lazăr, made a brief overview of the situation of the National Ombudsman Institution, noting the contribution made by CHRM in order to achieve the National Action Plan on Human Rights (PNADO) in context of the justice sector reform. The Ombudsman informed the delegation about the new draft law on Ombudsman and ongoing discussions about the proposed amendments. Considering that at the initial stage the CHRM was supported by the Council of Europe that provided expertise on the quality of the Law on parliamentary advocates, the Parliamentary advocate considers appropriate to continue this cooperation, including possible support for strengthening the capacities of the institution after amending legislation, the main areas would be: the right not to be subjected to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment, equality and non-discrimination, the right to elect and be elected, freedom of conscience, expression and association, rights of children and the implementation of necessary structural reforms.
In the context of protection of human rights the parliamentary advocate tackled several aspects: socio-economic situation in the country, the situation of national minorities, the situation of Roma, and the problems they face in the process of social integration. Noted that the Moldovan population is generally tolerant, the Ombudsman noted that the Roma are living in the country for centuries and have relatively good level of integration, currently is need to be implemented policies and strategies being proposed for their social inclusion. Ombudsman is of the opinion that the main step would be integration of Roma children in the educational process. Access to education, achieved but first of all realized as necessity by Roma themselves is the optimal way to achieve integration and realization of equal opportunities believes ombudsman. Also free access to medical, social services, etc. would hasten the successful integration of Roma. In the Ombudsman attention are also issues of other ethnic groups from Moldova: Gagauz, Bulgarians, Ukrainians, and others. All cases of discrimination based on any criteria are reviewed by the Parliamentary advocate and on all acts of discrimination the ombudsman institution undertake measures within its competence.
The Ombudsman noted that the Center for Human Rights of Moldova has benefited from the assistance of the Council of Europe within the Program "Democracy Support in Moldova" conducted between the ends of 2010-2011. These were seminars and trainings, editing of specialized Manual for public servants and training of local public authority representatives from different districts of the country, support in organizing the International Conference on the protection of Rights of persons with disabilities, held in September 2011, and other activities in support of the ombudsman institution.
In this regard the parliamentary advocate has thanked the European partners for the support given the institution in implementing activities under this program which aimed to promote human rights in Moldova.
The observance in the efficient implementation of the priority areas of CHRM activity that requires institutional capacity building, on the one hand and campaigns promoting human rights on the other. The Parliamentary advocate Tudor Lazăr considers necessary to continue the collaboration with the Council of Europe through thematic trainings, training of trainers, development of resources through fundraising, development of specific monitoring skills in the area of non-discrimination and electoral rights in the identification of victims of torture, domestic violence, exchange of experiences with other institutions, study visits of employees, etc..
The head of the delegation, deputy to the Director to Directorate of Political Advice, Daniil Khochabo, stressed the importance of continuing the implementation of support programs and activities on promotion and protection of human rights.
