Back International conference: Implementing non-discrimination commitments – a path to achieving European human rights standards

International conference:  Implementing non-discrimination commitments – a path to achieving European human rights standards

The necessity of strong cooperation between national authorities and civil society, role of lawyers and the use of communication strategies as key tools for preventing and fighting discrimination were the focus of the joint European Union and Council of Europe international conference that took place on 7 November 2019 in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. The conference brought together representatives of the Ombudsperson Offices, equality bodies, state authorities and key local NGOs from the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Belarus, as well as international experts and representatives of international organisations.

The conference was organised in the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance II and its two currently implemented projects: national Moldovan project Strengthening the capacities of the justice sector actors to deliver justice in line with European standards, in particular to fight discrimination”and the regional project Strengthening access to justice through non-judiciary redress mechanisms for victims of discrimination, hate crime and hate speech in Eastern Partnership countries, funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the Council of Europe.

 

William Massolin, Head of Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, Mr Marco Gemmer, Head of Operations Section, European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, Milica Djunic, Project Coordinator, Eastern Partnership and Russian Federation Unit, Human Rights National Implementation Division, Council of Europe, Menno Etemma, Programme Manager, No hate Speech and Cooperation unit, Anti-Discrimination Department, Council of Europe, and Ian Feldman, President of the Council for Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination and Ensuring Equality addressed the participants during the opening session.

 

The conference served as a forum for an open exchange of experiences and solutions for better protection against discrimination at the national level. Participants discussed a recently conducted assessment of the Effectiveness of the National Equality body/Ombudsoffice as redress mechanism for victims of discrimination, hate crime and hate speech in Eastern Partnership countries. The discussion about the importance of efficient communication between all relevant actors in the area of non-discrimination,with the example of the Communication Strategy of the Moldovan Equality Council, was opened and led to useful and practical conclusions.


William Massolin mentioned “Communication strategies and actions are very important for the bodies that deal with cases of discrimination, as it targets the victims, or potential victims of discrimination, who very often are people from vulnerable groups. In this sense, it is crucially important to make people aware of what discrimination is and which are the national remedies for protection against it.

 

Marco Gemmer said "The EU places great importance on supporting the access of Moldovan citizens to judicial and non-judicial redress for violations of their rights, including for acts of discrimination. To achieve this, the Equality Council and the Ombudsperson need to be endowed with the necessary funding and infrastructure to assist the citizens. The Lawyers also need support in their role as first responders of citizens who became victims of discrimination. The European Union together with the Council of Europe, under the Good Governance programme, will identify shortcomings and ways of improvement. Today's conference covering the Eastern Partnership region is a great opportunity to discuss challenges in addressing discrimination, hate speech and hate crime and how to tackle them through judicial and non-judicial means, for the benefit of the citizens."

 

 Photo Gallery of the Conference 

Chisinau, Moldova 8 November 2019
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA COUNTRY-SPECIFIC PROJECTS

Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova

 English

Enhancing the anti-money laundering and asset recovery regime in the Republic of Moldova

 English

Support to further modernisation of court management in the Republic of Moldova

 English

REGIONAL PROJECTS

Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies

 English

Strengthening measures to prevent and combat economic crime in the Eastern Partnership region

 English

Women's Access to Justice: implementing Council of Europe’s gender equality and violence against women standards

  English

Council of europe standards

Human Rights Commissioner

As part of his mandate, the Commissioner carries out visits to countries in order to monitor the human rights situation and pursue a dialogue with national authorities and civil societies.

 Republic of Moldova visit reports and documents

 

Fight against corruption

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) monitors member states' compliance with the Council of Europe anti-corruption standards with the objective to improve the capacity of its members to fight corruption.

 Evaluations for Moldova

 

Fight against money laundering

The MONEYVAL committee of experts evaluates the effectiveness of domestic measures to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism in Council of Europe member states which are not members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Council of Europe member states which are members of MONEYVAL but subsequently become members of the FATF can elect to retain full membership of MONEYVAL. Applicant states for membership and other non-member states which are not members of the FATF may apply to join the terms of reference under certain conditions.

 Republic of Moldova MONEYVAL profile

 

Democracy through Law

The European Commission for Democracy through Law - the Venice Commission - is an advisory body on constitutional matters which plays a leading role in the adoption of constitutions that conform to the standards of Europe's constitutional heritage

  Documents concerning the Republic of Moldova

 

European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)

The aim of the CEPEJ is the improvement of the efficiency and functioning of justice in the member States.

 Country profile for the Republic of Moldova

Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE)

This consultative body to the Committee of Ministers prepares opinions, promotes the implementation of the Recommendation on the Role of Public Prosecution in the Criminal Justice System (2000)19 and collects information about the functioning of prosecution services in Europe.

 Country profile for the Republic of Moldova

 

Fight against racism

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) is an independent monitoring body which provides member States with concrete and practical advice on how to tackle problems of racism and intolerance in their country.

  ECRI conclusions and reports about the Republic of Moldova

 

Protection of minorities

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities provides for a monitoring system to evaluate how the treaty is implemented in State Parties. An advisory Committee adopts recommendations to improve minority protection.

 Republic of Moldova reports

 

Prevention of torture

The European Committee for the prevention of torture visits places of detention (for juvenile or immigration detainees, police stations, psychiatric hospitals) in order to assess how persons deprived of their liberty are treated.

Visits and reports for Moldova

 

Gender equality 

The Council of Europe’s pioneering work in the fields of human rights and gender equality has also resulted in solid standards which, if fully implemented, would and bring member states closer to real equality between women and men. Some of the milestone achievements in this respect include two conventions.

 Visit website