3.14_Rights of minorities_checked_30.09.2024pptx (1)

1.

MOLDOVAN DELEGATION FOR THE ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
CLUSTER 1: FUNDAMENTALS
Bilateral Screening | Presentation of the Republic of Moldova
Chapter 23 – judiciary and fundamental rights
Rights of persons belonging to minorities
Mr. Nicolae RĂDIȚA
Deputy Director General | Agency for Interethnic Relations
[email protected]
BRUSSELS | 15-17 October 2024
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2.

CONTENT
I. GENERAL CONTEXT
II. EXTENT OF APPROXIMATION
III. ​INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES
IV. STATE OF PLAY
V. CHALLENGES AND GAPS
VI. FUTURE PLANS
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3.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
International legal framework
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (link)
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by the Republic of Moldova in 28 July 1990,
entered into force on 26 April 1993 (link)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ratified by the Republic of Moldova in 1990
(link)
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination entered into force for the
Republic of Moldova on 25 February 1993 (link)
In 2012 Moldova recognized the competence of the Committee for the Elimination of the Racial Discrimination
to receive and to examine the requests from persons or groups of persons who claim to be victims of the
violation by Moldova of any of the rights established by the Convention (link)
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities - entered into force for the Republic of
Moldova on 01.02.1998 (link)
3

4.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Main Reforms
A State Department for National
Issues of the Republic of Moldova
was established under the
Government of the Republic of
Moldova
1991
Law on the Rights
Persons
Belonging
National Minorities
2001
The Action Plan for 2021-2024
on Promoting the Memory of
the Holocaust and the Culture
of Tolerance to Combat
Racism,
Antisemitism,
Xenophobia, and Other Forms
of Intolerance
of
to
Law on Equality
2012
2021
2017
- The Policy Unit in the field of Interethnic Relations was
created as a structural subdivision of the Ministry of
Education and Research
- The Strategy for Strengthening Interethnic Relations in the
Republic of Moldova for 2017-2027
- The Action Plan for 2017-2019 on the Implementation of
the Declaration of the Parliament of the Republic of
Moldova regarding the Acceptance of the Final Report of
the International Commission for the Study of the
Holocaust, chaired by Elie Wiesel, approved by
Government Decision
Government
Decision
regarding the Awarding of
Merit Scholarships to Roma
Students in Secondary,
Vocational,
and
Higher
Education
2023
2022
The
Program
for
Supporting the Roma
Population
in
the
Republic of Moldova
2022-2025
4

5.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Protection of persons belonging to national minorities from racial discrimination, hate speech and prejudice
motivated misdemeanors and crimes
Achievements to date include:
The Equality Council
The Contravention Code
The
Equality
In April 2021, a
has been granted
has been supplemented
Council together
definition of the
the right to make
by Art. 701, which
with the People’s
term
‘Holocaust’
New submissions to the
punishes
intentional The
Advocate
Office
was introduced to
In April 2022, the actions,
when
public Audiovisual Media court
provide
training
the Criminal Code
Parliament adopted solicitations,
Services Code that examining a case
sessions in the
Law No. 111/2022 dissemination
of entered into force alleging
fields of human
amending
the information or other in January 2019 discrimination
Penalties for failure rights,
equality
Criminal
Code forms
to implement the and/or combating
and
of
public defines
regarding
the information aimed at regulates
decisions of the racism
hate
and
criminalization of inciting
Equality Council
and
discrimination speech
discrimination,
hate
speech, committed based on establishes
clear
targeted at public
prejudice motivated prejudice
sanctions for hate
civil servants, mass
crimes
speech
in
the
media, etc.
audiovisual media
5

6.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
National legal framework
The protection of the rights of national minorities in the Republic of Moldova is constitutionally guaranteed and is based on the
national legislation/government policies, the framework-programes and international instruments to which the Republic of
Moldova is a state party.
Law No.382/2001 on the
rights
of
persons
belonging to national
minorities
Law on the rights of the
child no. 370/2023
Law No. 121 of 25
May 2012 on
Ensuring Equality
Labor Code of the
Republic of Moldova
No. 154/2003
The Constitution of the
Republic of Moldova
(1994)
Legislative
Provisions that
enshrine
Minority Rights
Education Code of the
Republic of Moldova No.
152/2014
Criminal Code of the
Republic of Moldova no.
985/2002
Contravention Code of
the Republic of
Moldova
Audiovisual
Services
no.174/2018
Media
Code
Decrees of the
President and
Government decisions
on cultural
development
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7.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
National legal framework
1. Constitution of the Republic of Moldova (link)
Preamble
[Satisfaction of citizens'
interests]
Article 10
[ethnic, cultural, linguistic and
religious rights]
Article 16
[Equality before the law]
Article 32
[Freedom of expression,
prohibition of incitement to
national, racial or religious
hatred and discrimination ]
2. Law on Ensuring Equality no. 121 of 25 May 2012 (link)
Special provisions
of the Law:
prohibition of
discrimination in
employment (art.7);
prohibition of
discrimination in
access to services
and goods available
to the public (art.8);
prohibition of
discrimination in
education (art.9)
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8.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
National legal framework
3. Law No. 382/2001 on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National Minorities and the Legal Status of their Organizations (link)
3Art.
1
defines
national
minorities as persons who reside
on the territory of the Republic
of Moldova, have Moldovan
citizenship, possess, cultural and
linguistic peculiarities that differ
from the majority of the
population (Moldovans) and
consider themselves to be of a
different ethnic origin
Art. 4
stipulates:
(1)equality
and
equal
protection
before
the
law;
(2) Prohibition
of
discrimination
based on the
national
minority
affiliation
Art. 5 – 24 of Law 24 set out the fundamental rights of national minorities:
the right to the right to
appointment
of the Agency
education in have free use
the
of Interethnic
Romanian
of
their obligation of the right to
Relations as
the right to and Russian mother
local
communicate
the
agency
and
the
tongue,
both
preserve,
administratio with public
the right to responsible
creation
of
in
written
develop and
ns
with institutions in
use
their for
the
conditions for and
the right to
verbal
express
considerable Romanian
names, last promotion of
motherfreedom
of
form, to have minority
ethnic,
and Russian
names and the
State
tongue
religion
of
access
to
groups
to and to obtain
patronymics policy in the
cultural,
education for information
minorities
publish
a response in
in
official field of interlinguistic and
other groups, in
(art. 14);
this administrativ the
ethnic
same
documents
religious
including
language, to e acts in the language of
relations and
(art. 16);
identities
Ukrainians,
disseminate language of communicati
the
(art. 5);
Gagauz,
it and to minorities
Coordination
on (art. 12);
Bulgarians
exchange
Council as its
(art. 8);
and Jews (art. information
advisory body
(art. 25).
6);
(art.7);
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9.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
National legal framework
4. Education Code of the Republic of Moldova (link)
Art. 7
The state shall guarantee the training and
development of communication skills in
the Romanian language, in the national
minorities’ languages, as appropriate, and
in at least two languages of international
circulation.
Art. 10
(2) In the areas inhabited traditionally or by
substantial number of persons belonging to the
national minorities, if there is sufficient demand,
the State shall ensure within the possibilities of
the education system that persons belonging to
these minorities have adequate conditions to
learn their minority language, or to receive
education in this language, at the compulsory
education level.
Art. 8
The state shall ensure the conditions for
training and development of skills in
English, French and Russian languages in
all public institutions of general
education.
Art. 10
(3) The study of the Romanian language
shall be compulsory in the educational
institutions of any level and shall be
regulated by the state educational
standards.
Art. 10
(4) The state shall ensure the necessary
conditions for studying the Romanian
language in all educational institutions,
including by increasing the share of
subjects studied in Romanian in the
general education institutions with
another language of training.
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10.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
National legal framework
5. Labour Code of the Republic of Moldova no. 154/2003 (link)
Article 8 Prohibition of discrimination in the field of labour
(1) In the framework of the labour relations shall operate the
principle of equality in rights of all employees. Any direct or
indirect employee discrimination based on his gender, age,
race, ethnicity, political option, social origin, residence,
handicap, status or trade union activity, as well as other criteria
not related to his professional qualities, shall be prohibited.
Article 128 Wage
(2) At establishment and payment of the wage, the
discrimination based on sex, age, handicap, social
origin, family status, affiliation to an ethnicity, race
or nationality, political options and religious
principles, affiliation or trade union activity is
prohibited.
6. Law on the rights of the child no. 370/2023 (link)
Article 2 Law scope
Under this law children are protected without any
discrimination, irrespective of race, color, sex, language,
religion, political or other opinion, regardless of nationality,
ethnic or social origin, status at birth, material situation,
degree and type of disability (…) or any other criteria.
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11.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
National legal framework
7. Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova no. 985/2002 (link)
Art. 176
[Infringement of equal citizens'
rights]
Art. 176/1
[Infringement of citizens' rights by
promoting fascism, racism and
xenophobia and by denying the
Holocaust]
Art. 346
[Instigating acts of violence
on grounds of prejudice]
Criminal penalties that may be established: imprisonment, fine, unpaid community service, deprivation of the right to hold certain
positions or carry out certain activities
8. Contravention Code of the Republic of Moldova no. 218/2008 (link)
Art. 46/3
[Reasons for prejudice]
Art. 54/2
[Infringement of equality in the
field of labour]
Art. 65/1
[Discrimination in the field of
education]
Art. 70/1
[Instigation to discrimination]
Art. 70/2
[Harassment]
Art. 70/3
[Victimisation]
Art. 71/1
[Discrimination on access to
public services and goods]
Art. 71/2
[Enabling the activity of the
Equality Council]
Penalties that may be imposed: fine, unpaid community service, deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or carry out certain
activities.
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12.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
National legal framework
9. Audiovisual Media Services Code no.174/2018 (link)
Article 4 Local audiovisual programmes
(8) Media service providers whose audiovisual
media services are meant for administrative
territorial units in which persons belonging to
national minorities make up the majority of
the population must broadcast local
audiovisual programmes in the language of
that minority in a maximum of 75% and at
least 25% in Romanian .
Article 13. Ensuring accurate information
(10) In news and debates audiovisual programmes addressing issues of
public interest concerning ethnic, religious or sexual minorities, the
views of their representatives must also be presented.
Article 55. Offer of retransmitted audiovisual media services
(6) In localities where an ethnic minority represents at least 25% of the
population, media service distributors shall ensure at least one
audiovisual media service free for retransmission in the minority
language.
Article 8. Editorial independence and freedom of creation
(3) Any kind of interference with the content, the form or the means of
creating and presenting audiovisual programmes and other elements of
audiovisual media services by any persons or public authorities shall be
forbidden.
12

13.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
National legal framework
8. Declaration of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova on the Acceptance of the Final Report of the
International Commission for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania, chaired by Elie Wiesel (link)
The Declaration was aimed at paying tribute to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and condemns the
systematic persecution and extermination of Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators during the period 19371944 on the territory of the Republic of Moldova as well as any attempt to ignore and deny the Holocaust.
9. Government Decision no.18 of 18.01.2019 on the Condemning Anti-Semitism and Promotion of the Tolerance
(link)
This decision establishes the definition of ‘anti-Semitism’ according to the definition adopted by the International
Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) at its plenary meeting on 26 May 2016.
13

14.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Sectoral policy documents
1. Strategy on the Consolidation of Interethnic Relations in the Republic of Moldova for 2017-2027 (link)
Goals of the Strategy
to encourage the inclusive
diversity of the Moldovan
society by integrating national
minorities into various spheres
of life
to ensure equality of citizens
regardless of ethnic, cultural,
linguistic
identity,
etc.,
respecting national legislation
and international standards
to reduce the risk of
interethnic tensions
mass media
fostering
the
intercultural
dialogue and civic
belonging to the
Republic
of
Moldova
The Strategy addresses
the
integration
of
Moldova’s diverse society
by targeted measures in
four priority areas
facilitating
participation
of
national minorities
in public life
state
policies
in
relation
to
the
Romanian
language
and national minority
languages
14

15.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Sectoral policy documents
2. National Program on Ensuring the Respect for Human Rights for 2024-2027 (link)
General Objective 1
The justice system and law
enforcement bodies ensure fair
trials and effective procedures
with respect for human rights,
especially for vulnerable groups
General Objective 8
Inherent human dignity, fair and
non-discriminatory
treatment
ensured
strengthening
the
State-guaranteed
legal
aid
for
vulnerable groups
increasing accessibility of
the justice system and
legal bodies to people
from vulnerable groups
improving regulatory framework and
building capacities of law
enforcement and justice sector in the
area of preventing and combating
incitement to discrimination, hate
speech and hate crimes
adjusting normative
framework for the
protection of human
rights defenders and
journalists
developing
internal,
evaluation and monitoring
disaggregated data collection
mechanisms
by
law
enforcement bodies
15

16.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Sectoral policy documents
2. National Program on Ensuring the Respect for Human Rights for 2024-2027 (link)
General Objective 11
Freedom
of
assembly,
association, conscience and
religion respected, protected
and facilitated
General Objective 12
Cultural rights ensured
aligning
the
normative
framework on the rights to
freedom
of
expression,
association and religion to
international standards
promoting
intercultural
dialogue and
mutual respect;
building capacities of law
enforcement bodies in the area
of respect and protection of the
rights to peaceful fortified
assemblies
increasing financial support
for activities jointly carried
out with representatives of
non-commercial
organizations,
national
minorities
increasing accessibility
of cultural services,
including
electronic
services, to people in
urban and rural areas,
including
vulnerable
groups
16

17.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Sectoral policy documents
3. Program on the support of the Roma Population for 2022-2025 (link)
The overall goal of the Program: to promote better integration of the Roma population into society, through
guaranteeing social equity, combating discrimination and ensuring access to education, health and other public
services, preventing migration and countering human trafficking
The goal is expected to be achieved by:
Improving the policy
and
institutional
framework
Ensuring
effective
representation and
participation of the
Roma population in
public life
Guaranteeing respect
for
social-cultural
rights and promoting
better integration of
the Roma population
in society
Increasing
the
labour
market
participation
and
economic
opportunities of the
Roma population
Strengthening
the
status of the Roma
community mediator
17

18.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Sectoral policy documents
4. National Program for promoting the learning of the Romanian language by national minorities, including the adult
population for 2023-2025 (link)
The general goals of the Program include:
Amend the normative framework to align language
education to the needs of national minorities
making efficient use of digital technologies to ensure the
quality and sustainability of language education
Ensuring access to quality language education for
all through equitable inclusion in general
education as well as lifelong learning
developing a permanent system of lifelong Romanian
language learning for citizens belonging to national
minorities, based on personal needs of the individual and
the development prospects of society in formal, nonformal and informal education
socio-linguistic and professional integration of
pupils and students from among national
minorities through the introduction of gradual
study of subjects in Romanian
developing cooperation between state institutions, public
organizations and the private sector in order to improve
language skills in line with the needs of society
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19.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Sectoral policy documents
5. The 2nd Action Plan for 2021-2024 on promoting the memory of the Holocaust and the culture of tolerance to
combat racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance (link)
The goals of the Action Plan include:
to study the Holocaust phenomenon in the education system
to facilitate Holocaust Remembrance
to explore the Holocaust phenomenon
to consolidate the legal and institutional framework
19

20.

I. GENERAL CONTEXT
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Main Strategic Partners
20

21.

II. EXTENT OF APPROXIMATION
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
1. Council of Europe Framework Convention on the protection of Minorities (Strasbourg, 1 February
1995)
EU strategic objectives
The Convention lays down the following rights of the national minorities:
- the right to non-discrimination, protection of cultural, linguistic,
religious identity of the individuals belonging to such minority communities. (arts. 4, 5 and 6 under the FC);
- the right to manifest one’s religious belief (art.8);
- linguistic rights, use of minority languages in private and in public, in
education, media, culture and official contacts (arts.10 ,11 under the
FC);
- educational rights (to learn the minority language and to be
instructed in a minority language on all educational levels) (art. 12,13, 14 under the FC);
- effective participation and representation in decision-making on
different levels of the administration as well as local self- governments (art.15 under the FC).
-
Measures taken at the national level with a view to implementing the provisions of the
Framework Convention
Institutional and policy frameworks for the protection of national minorities are in place in
the Republic of Moldova;
The anti-discrimination legal framework prohibits discrimination based inter alia on “race”,
colour, nationality, religion and language;
Different legislative and practical measures are taken to prevent racial discrimination and
intolerance, combat all forms of racism, xenophobia and antisemitism, inter alia, in the
media, including continuous trainings for judges, prosecutors, police officers on human
rights protection with a special focus on national minorities, remedies against hate crime
and racial violence, effective investigation, sanction and monitoring of all related complaints.
Continues efforts are taken to enhance proficiency in Romanian among persons belonging to
national minorities.
There are created conditions for teaching of and studying in minority languages within the
system of school education (Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Gagauz, and other minority
languages).
There is a system of cultural educational institutions aimed to preserve national cultural
identity of national minorities (theatres, museums, libraries, folkloric bands).
Public ethno-cultural movement of national minorities is developed and participate in
decision-making process.
Numerous ethno-cultural associations receive a wide support, including financial, for their
activities on behalf of the state.
Public radio and TV continue to broadcast programmes in various national minority
languages; newspapers in minority languages are published.
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22.

III. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
POLICY MAKING
• Commission for Human Rights and Interethnic Relations of the
Parliament of the Republic of Moldova (7)
• Ministry of Education and Research (123)
• Policy Unit for Interethnic Relations (3)
ENFORCEMENT
Agency for Interethnic Relations (20);
• National Employment Agency;
• National Social Assistance Agency;
• State Labor Inspectorate;
• National Health Insurance Company;
• National Institute of Justice;
• Police;
• Prosecutor's office;
• Courts;
• Agency for Public Services;
General Inspectorate for Migration
Audio-visual Council
‘Teleradio-Moldova’ State Company
Cultural Heritage Institute;
• Equality Council;
• Ombudsman Office
• Audiovisual Council;
• Local public authorities
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23.

III. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
The Policy Unit for Interethnic Relations under the Ministry of Education and Research
• Human resources
3 units (1 vacant post)
• Function
The Policy Unit for Interethnic Relations is a structural subdivision of the
Ministry of Education and Research, responsible for analyzing, monitoring,
evaluating and developing policies in the field of interethnic relations, the
functioning of languages spoken in the territory of the Republic of Moldova
and promoting linguistic diversity
23

24.

III. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
The Policy Unit for
Interethnic Relations
24

25.

III. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Agency for Interethnic Relations
The Agency for Interethnic Relations is the central administrative authority subordinated to the Government of the Republic
of Moldova responsible for the implementation of policies in the field of interethnic relations and the language functioning.
Agency’s functional capacities:
• Autonomous budget
AIR’s annual budget for 2024 amounts to 422 691 EUR.
• Human resources
20 units, of which 5 auxiliary (4 vacant posts)
• House of Nationalities
a cultural and documentation center of ethno-cultural organizations
• Co-ordinating Council of EthnoCultural
Organizations
of
National Minorities
civil society advisory body attached to the Agency, consisting of 78 leaders of ethnocultural public organizations of national minorities;
• “Memory of the Holocaust and
Interethnic Tolerance” Centre
specialised center for meetings with young people, academic discussions, open lectures,
etc.
25

26.

III. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Service for polticies
in the field of
interethnic relations
26

27.

III. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Launching of studies, reports, research
Implementation of projects and programs in preventing and combating discrimination
Trainings, seminars, round tables, conferences, summer camps, exhibitions, festivals, etc.
Agency activities:
Activities to facilitate the study of the Romanian language by the representatives of national minorities
Joint activities and support for ethno-cultural public organizations of national minorities
Information and public awareness-raising campaigns, lobbying and advocacy campaigns for the rights of national minorities
Collaboration with development partners and other international organizations
27

28.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Ethnic composition of the population of the Republic of Moldova
According to the State Register of Population, more than
150 ethnic groups reside on the territory of the Republic of
Moldova.
According to the last Population and Housing Census data
from 2014, the ethnic majority makes up 80.6% of the total
population.
The 2024 Population and Housing Census was conducted in
the Republic of Moldova from April 8 to July 7.
The census questionnaire was developed in Romanian and
Russian and translated into Bulgarian, Gagauz, Romani, and
Ukrainian and included an option of declaring multiple
ethnic and linguistic affiliations.
Moldovans (73,7%)
Romanians (6,9%)
Ukrainians (6.5%)
Gagauz (4.5%)
Russians (4.0%)
Bulgarians (1.8%)
Roma (0.3%)
Others (0,8%)
Not declared ethnicity (1,8%)
Moldovans
Romanians
Ukrainians
Gagauz
Russians
Bulgarians
Roma
Statistical data from 2014
28

29.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
The Study ‘Ethnobarometer Moldova 2020’ (link)
Level of openness to ethnic and cultural diversity in society (%, fully agree/agree)
29

30.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Teaching in and of minority languages
In the Republic of Moldova three models of teaching minority languages are applied:
• schools with teaching in Russian in which most of national minority pupils and students are enrolled;
• schools with teaching in Russian where Ukrainian, Gagauz, Bulgarian and other languages are studied as a subject four
hours per week and where the subject ‘History, culture and traditions of the Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz, Bulgarian, Roma
and other minorities’ is studied one hour per week;
• education institutions in which, in separate classes, primary education is carried out in the national minority language.
Statistics on Language Teaching in the Republic of Moldova
Language
Number schools
Locations
Russian
260
Across the country
Ukrainian
37
14 localities
Gagauz
45
ATU Gagauzia
Bulgarian
28
Hebrew
2
Taraclia, Cahul, Causeni.
Cantemir, Leova, ATU Gagauzia
Chisinau
30

31.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Learning of the Romanian language by national minorities
The National Programme for promoting the learning of the Romanian language by national minorities, including the adult
population for 2023-2025
31

32.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Education materials and intercultural education
In the new Framework Plan for
the 2024-2025 school years, it
was decided to increase the
number of hours dedicated to the
study of the mother tongue by
children from among national
minorities by one additional hour,
for grades 1-12
Development of the curriculum
for
the
subject
‘History,
Traditions, and Culture of
Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz,
Bulgarian, Jewish, and Roma
Peoples’ intended for grades 5-9
32

33.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Support for the preservation and development of minority identities and cultures
The cultural rights of national minorities are effectively ensured in practice through the activities of State cultural and artistic institutions that preserve
and promote cultural achievements of national minorities (libraries, museums, theaters, amateur groups, etc.).
At present 78 ethno-cultural organizations of national minorities are accredited under the Agency of Interethnic Relations,
representing in total 18 national minorities.
Support provided to ethno-cultural NGOs by the Agency in realization of their statutory activities includes:
Organizational and methodological assistance;
Organization of joint actions (conferences, seminars, round tables, cultural actions);
Provision of rent-free premises for activity of information centers and conference facilities for organization of ethno-cultural activities by national
minorities NGOs;
Partial financing of ethno-cultural programmes and projects implemented by national minority NGOs.
33

34.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Promotion of intercultural dialogue and mutual respect
The
Republic
of
Moldova
has an established tradition of holding
annual national-cultural events by ethnocultrual NGOs with the state support,
among them:
Days of National Minority Cultures (Ukrainian,
Russian, Gagauz, Bulgarian, Polish, Armenian,
Azerbaijani, etc.)
The Ethno-cultural Festival „Unity in
Diversity”
Polish Spring in Moldova
Hanukkah celebration
An estimated number of 50 000
persons usually become beneficiaries
of such events.
Days for Slavic culture and writing
International Mother Language Day
Day for the Bulgarians supporters of the
enlightenment
International Roma Day
34

35.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Promotion of intercultural dialogue and mutual respect
In July 2024, the National Programe entitled "Consolidation of inter-ethnic relations in the Republic of
Moldova in the context of European integration" was launched. Programe is jointly implemented by the Agency
and ethno-cultural organizations of national minorities, with the support of the Government of the Republic of
Moldova and central and local public authorities.
information and educational activities
entitled ‘Europe in my village’ in localities
densely populated by national minorities
The Program
includes:
joint cultural-artistic events of local and
regional artistic bands representing
national minorities and the majority
population under the title ‘Moldova is my
love’
35

36.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Broadcasting and printed media in minority languages
11 audiovisual media service
providers
In the Republic of Moldova 11 audiovisual media service providers, among which 7 radio stations and 4 TV stations
operate in localities densely populated by national minorities and broadcast programmes in national minority
languages, namely Bulgarian, Gagauz, Romani.
1 TV stations (NTS) and 1 radio station (Albena)
broadcast in Bulgarian
2 TV stations (TV Găgăuzia, ATV) and 5 radio stations
(GRT FM, Bugeac FM, Bizim Dalgamız FM, PRO 100
Radio, Radio Jean) broadcast in Gagauz
1 TV station (NOAH TV) and 1 radio station (Romano
Patrin FM) broadcast in Romani
36

37.

IV. STATE OF PLAY
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
Participation in decision making processes and representation of national minorities in elected bodies
and public administration
The Study ‘Ethnobarometer Moldova 2020’ (link)
Perception of representation in decision-making bodies
Perception of representation in decision-making processes
My ethnic group is sufficiently represented in State institutions (such as
Government, Parliament, local councils, etc)
The interests of my ethnic group are sufficiently represented in the decisionmaking process in the country
37

38.

V. CHALLENGES AND GAPS
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
• The lack of statistical data on minority group participation in political and decision-making
processes results in difficulties in assessing the involvement in policy-making, judiciary
sphere, law enforcement and the level of their participation in public life.
• The level of Romanian language proficiency among national minorities remains low.
39

39.

VI. FUTURE STEPS
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
ACTIVITIES
Implementation of the National Program for
promoting the learning of the Romanian
language by national minorities, including the
adult population for 2023-2025
Implementation
of
the
Multilingual
Education Program in the educational system
Educational, cultural and social activities to
promote cultural and linguistic diversity,
history and traditions of national minorities
and to encourage the intercultural dialogue
POLICY DOCUMENT
YEAR
COSTS
«Education 2030» Development
Strategy
2024-2025
«Education 2030» Development
Strategy
starting with 2025
TBD
External assistance
To be included in the NPA
ongoing
TBD
1 548 688.99 EUR,
External assistance
40

40.

VI. FUTURE STEPS
on the rights of persons belonging to minorities
ACTIVITIES
POLICY DOCUMENT
Evaluating the impact of the Strategy for
Consolidation of Interethnic Relations (20172027) implementation
Strategy for Consolidation of
Interethnic Relations for 2017 2027
YEAR
2028
COSTS
TBD
41

41.

MOLDOVAN DELEGATION FOR THE ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
CLUSTER 1: FUNDAMENTALS
Thank you for your attention!
Working Group on Chapter 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights