COUNCIL OF EUROPE ADOPTS NEW ACTION PLAN FOR MOLDOVA FOR YEARS 2021-2024

The Committee of Ministers, representing the 47 Council of Europe member states, has adopted the Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for the years 2021-2024.

Its press release distributed on Thursday reads that the Action Plan aims to bring the country’s legislation, institutions and practice further in line with European standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

The Council of Europe offered an opinion that despite the progress made in the Republic of Moldova, challenges remain in terms of effectively implementing reforms, including in the field of justice.

Under this new action plan, the Council of Europe and the Moldovan authorities have agreed to jointly carry out co-operation projects in areas essential for human rights, such as the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights’ case law at national level.

As the press release further said, “The action plan aims to build on the work already done in various fields of previous action plans. These include aligning national legislation and practice with anti-discrimination and gender equality European standards, strengthening the national child protection framework to combat sexual exploitation and abuse of children, enhancing the independence and accountability of the judicial system, and improving electoral legislation and practice”.

A number of initiatives will be aimed at reforming the prison system and promoting alternatives to detention, advancing the compliance with European media and internet governance standards, enhancing data protection, and developing the capacity of law enforcement and other agencies to respond to corruption and money laundering.

This is the third Council of Europe action plan for the country, following those implemented during the periods 2013-2016 and 2017-2020. Achievements of the plan completed in 2020 include the consolidation of the institution of the People’s Advocate (Ombudsperson), the improvement of conditions for combating discrimination and promoting equality as a result of the strengthened capacity of the Equality Council, and the enhancing of the professional and operational capacity of the electoral administration to conduct elections.

The overall budget of the 2021-2024 action plan is estimated at €13.7 million, of which funding of €2.6 million has already been secured.