POLICY OPTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF ASSEMBLY POLICING MANAGEMENT IN MOLDOVA[EN]
MODALITĂŢI DE ÎMBUNĂTĂŢIRE A GESTIONĂRII ORDINII PUBLICE A ÎNTRUNIRILOR ÎN MOLDOVA[RO]
Способы совершенствования обеспечения общественного порядка во время проведения собраний в Молдове[RU]
Policy options for improvement of assembly policing management in Moldova
prepared: July - November 2009
Freedom of
assembly is at the core of the democratic foundation of the state. Freedom of
assembly rights together with the freedom of expression rights are the most
publicly visible rights exercised in the society. Media and the society
frequently judge on the state of democracy based on the respect for and the
exercise of these rights. Governments image is considerably affected if it
fails to enforce freedom of assembly rights.
Monitoring reports, studies and expert opinions indicate that Moldova, since it adopted the new law on assembly in April 2008, has improved its state of the freedom of expression. The number of assemblies has increased almost threefold; citizens have slowly started to build more confidence and self-awareness in expressing themselves in public.
The exercise of the freedom of assembly rights could still be improved, as there have been cases when assembly rights were violated. Assembly rights violations result from unjust police interference and abstention of police when aggressive third parties threaten or prevent assembly organizers from exercising their assembly rights. Apart from the aforementioned shortcomings, the local public administration also fails to adequately perform its duties.
This study has been commissioned to help understanding the exact nature of the causes of the police failing to facilitate and protect assemblies, as well as to protect and maintain public order during assemblies. The presented conclusions and recommendations are prompted from several recent authoritative opinions issued by internationally specialized bodies. They provide a general framework for a deeper look at the public order management practice during assemblies.
