Ombudsperson Mihai Cotorobai pleads for speeding up the approval of the package of laws aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the mechanism for preventing and combating domestic violence and violence against women. A recommendation in this respect is contained in the Ombudsperson’s request sent to Prime Minister Pavel Filip.

The message says that during the last years of the Ombudsperson’s Office has monitored the implementation of Law No 45 on Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence and acted within its powers to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence in Moldova.

Recently, an outrageous case came into public opinion, which highlighted the serious gaps in the mechanism for preventing and combating domestic violence in our country. It's the case of V.P., a mother with five dependent children, sentenced to prison for stabbing her husband who used to beat her, says the message.

This case developed legislative shortcomings related to the mechanism of intervention/actions by the persons with responsibilities in this area in situations where the life and health of victims of domestic violence could be in danger: individuals responsible for preventing and combating domestic violence failed to protect the victim, which is why V. P. turned from a victim into perpetrator.

The Ombudsperson recalls that, according to the  Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Moldova is a party to, as well as Law No 45 on Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence, the State has the positive obligation to prevent any form of abuse against women and children, to intervene immediately and effectively in order to ensure protection where such abuse was committed, to investigate and punish the perpetrator.

The Ombudsperson welcomes the initiative of the Ministry of Labour, Social and Family Protection and Family to harmonize the national legal framework on preventing and combating domestic violence with the European standards, and namely with the Convention of the Council of Europe on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, with the view of ratifying this international treaty.

The Ombudsperson believes that improving the national mechanism for preventing and combating domestic violence, both in terms of legislation and its implementation, is an urgent necessity, given the extent of domestic violence and violence against women in Moldova.

The Ombudsperson notes with regret the delay in the approval of the package of laws intended to contribute to a more efficient mechanism for preventing and combating domestic violence and violence against women, which is why he recommends to the Government of the Republic of Moldova to include the adoption of the mentioned package of laws as a priority on its agenda. 

2016-02-18