Newsroom
ODIHR launches project on monitoring freedom of assembly in Moldova
CHISINAU 19 October 2007
CHISINAU, 19 October 2007 - A five-day training course for human rights defenders, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), ended in Chisinau today.
The course, part of a project on monitoring freedom of assembly in Moldova, focused on providing an impartial and objective account of such events.
Moldovan authorities have recently elaborated a draft law on assemblies. The ODIHR and the OSCE Mission to Moldova have welcomed the draft, reiterating their readiness to support the process of bringing the national law in line with international standards.
"We hope that the monitoring project, carried out in co-operation with the Human Rights Resource Centre CReDO, will help raise awareness in Moldova of the importance of freedom of assembly, a cornerstone of a democratic society and means for a diverse range of groups to make their views known in public. We also hope that the project will contribute to the dialogue between the Government and civil society," said Mark Guthrie, Deputy Head of ODIHR's human rights department.
Over the next six months, human rights defenders will monitor assemblies throughout the country. Their observations will be compiled into a report that will be submitted to the Government with the aim of further improving the legislative framework and respect for human rights and freedoms.
This project builds upon the ODIHR "Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly", which outline international standards and illustrate key principles with examples of good practice from the OSCE region. The Guidelines have been drafted by the ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, which composition reflects a wealth of experience in different contexts.
The Guidelines emphasize the State's positive obligation to protect peaceful assemblies, including those that voice unpopular opinions, and suggest that organizers notify the authorities of their intention to hold an assembly rather than seek permission. They also argue that spontaneous assemblies should be facilitated by the State as long as they are peaceful in nature.
The course, part of a project on monitoring freedom of assembly in Moldova, focused on providing an impartial and objective account of such events.
Moldovan authorities have recently elaborated a draft law on assemblies. The ODIHR and the OSCE Mission to Moldova have welcomed the draft, reiterating their readiness to support the process of bringing the national law in line with international standards.
"We hope that the monitoring project, carried out in co-operation with the Human Rights Resource Centre CReDO, will help raise awareness in Moldova of the importance of freedom of assembly, a cornerstone of a democratic society and means for a diverse range of groups to make their views known in public. We also hope that the project will contribute to the dialogue between the Government and civil society," said Mark Guthrie, Deputy Head of ODIHR's human rights department.
Over the next six months, human rights defenders will monitor assemblies throughout the country. Their observations will be compiled into a report that will be submitted to the Government with the aim of further improving the legislative framework and respect for human rights and freedoms.
This project builds upon the ODIHR "Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly", which outline international standards and illustrate key principles with examples of good practice from the OSCE region. The Guidelines have been drafted by the ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, which composition reflects a wealth of experience in different contexts.
The Guidelines emphasize the State's positive obligation to protect peaceful assemblies, including those that voice unpopular opinions, and suggest that organizers notify the authorities of their intention to hold an assembly rather than seek permission. They also argue that spontaneous assemblies should be facilitated by the State as long as they are peaceful in nature.