Chisinau, 4 October 2012. - The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture concluded today its first visit to Moldova. The purpose of the visit, which took place from 1 to 4 October 2012, was to provide advice and technical assistance to the Moldovan mechanism for the prevention of torture, in conformity with the article 11 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.  During its visit to Moldova, the Subcommittee met with the Minister of Justice and other government officials, representatives of Parliament and non-governmental organizations, United Nations representatives, as well as with the Moldovan mechanism for the prevention of torture.

The Subcommittee devoted most part of its visit to a capacity building exercise to the Moldovan National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), i.e. the Ombudsman institution known as the Center for Human Rights, and the Consultative Council, through a number of joint visits to places of deprivation of liberty. UN experts had the opportunity to assess first-hand the needs and current challenges of this Moldovan organ for the prevention of torture and ill-treatment.   

"We welcome the reiterated commitment of the Moldovan authorities to combat torture and ill-treatment” ", declared Mr. Michaelides, head of the Subcommittee delegation to Moldova.

“The Subcommittee will spare no efforts to contribute to the on-going strengthening of the Moldovan national preventive mechanism. The latter is indeed meant to become a key part of the national   machinery for the prevention of torture and protection of human rights of persons deprived of their liberty. It is therefore of utmost importance that all actors involved in this process  do  fully integrate the Subcommittee’s guidelines on National Preventive Mechanisms and refer to the Subcommittee’s expertise and experience in that domain."
The Subcommittee will submit to the Government of Moldova and to the Moldovan National Preventive Mechanism confidential reports with its observations and recommendations arising from the visit.

The SPT delegation to Moldova consisted of the following members:  Mr. Petros MICHAELIDES (head of the delegation), Ms. Mari AMOS, Mr. Christian PROSS and Mr. Fortune G. ZONGO.

The delegation was supported by the UN Resident Coordinator and Representative of UNDP, as well as the UN Human Rights Advisor in the country.

ENDS

For more information on the mandate of Subcommittee, please visit: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/opcat/index.htm