There is a protracted crisis in Moldova, which is caused by inefficient state finance management and ill-conceived economic policy. The economy is expected to stagnate further in the country, and inflation will remain high against the background of rising food and energy prices. Despite signs of a certain stability of the economy, a significant increase in the negative current account balance and budget deficit is still expected this year. Risks to the economy remain exceptionally high, including those associated with the regional energy crisis.
On December 1, the Moldovan Parliament extended for another 60 days the state of emergency, which has been in effect since the end of last year due to the energy crisis and the “influx of Ukrainian refugees.”
Solidaritätsnetz International considers the reasons for the state of emergency to be deliberately far-fetched in order to limit the constitutional rights of citizens and concentrate power in the hands of President Sandu by leveling democratic mechanisms. The state of emergency is an attempt to hide their failure in the social sphere and reforms.
There is no natural disaster in Moldova, Chisinau is not at war with Moscow, and the EU and Switzerland allocate funds for humanitarian programs for Ukrainian refugees.
The State of Emergency Commission dictatorially suppresses civil society, and peaceful protests of citizens were dispersed by force on October 18. Our Erganization, Amnesty International and a number of other human rights organizations condemned the cruelty shown by the authorities in Chisinau.
Under the guise of a candidate for the EU, the autocratic regime of President Sandu is being formed.
Moldova suspended the licenses of six TV channels for incorrect coverage of events in Ukraine, it became known on Friday evening, December 16. We are talking about the TV channels “First in Moldova”, “RTR-Moldova”, “Akcent-TV”, as well as “NTV-Moldova”, “TV-6” and “Orhei-TV”. Moldovan President Maia Sandu supported the suspension of broadcasting.
Thus, extrajudicially, the basic principle of a democratic society, the right to freedom of speech, was violated. And the fact that TV channels must stop broadcasting on December 19 demonstrates that these media are deprived of the right to effective judicial protection.
Solidaritätsnetz International believes that the public authorities in Moldova use dirty methods to fight political rivals and opposition.
Solidaritätsnetz International demands immediate diplomatic intervention from the EU and Switzerland so that Europe does not create a new dictator through inaction.