PRESS RELEASE

 

regarding the violation by the self-proclaimed regime from Tiraspolof the right to freedom of expression and to freedom of association

 

At least five persons, among whom 3 women and one disabled person, were arrested yesterday, March 11th, 2007 at Tiraspol, for their attempt to participate in a meeting of protest against the region’s seclusion policy. The total number and the exhaustive list of the persons arrested is unknown, and taking into account the limited access to the territory there is a great possibility that a lot of persons might be disappeared. 

O. Horjan, N. Bondarenco, F. Kotelnikova (and her infirm son), and A. Comina were arrested yesterday, March 11th, 2007 by the self-proclaimed government from Tiraspol, for the simple reason that they made public appeals, calling for the participation in a meeting of protest against the regime’s policy, a policy that has transformed the population of Transnistria in hostages of the grouping Smirnov-Antiufeev.

It is well-known that in 1992, this very grouping usurped through violence the state power in certain localities from Transnistria, created paramilitary formations, establishing the total control over the population, limiting and seriously infringing the whole range of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

The attempts to express another opinion are cruelly repressed by the regime, through arrests, kidnappings and threats. The population is also limited as regards the freedom of movement and communication.

The arrests from March 11th are an ordinary example from a vast range of anti-democratic and anti-human actions, which include ethnical cleansings as well.

Moldovan Helsinki Committee for Human Rights observers from in the region noticed that persons arrested are submitted to tortures, including the application of electroshock in order to oblige them to self-incrimination. 

Moldovan Helsinki Committee for Human Rights appeals to all national and international organisations for the restoration of rights of the persons arrested, checking of their health state, and their equitable compensation.

 

For further information please contact: Olesea Bodean, project assistant: 22-26-18, 22-73-96 obodeam@humanrights.md  

 

 

Ştefan Urîtu,

President of the Committee