In a continued effort to promote equality, dignity and freedom, the Police and the Equality Council of the Republic of Moldova met in Chisinau to reinforce their collaboration. The meeting focused on advancing practices and improving the reporting, analysis, and qualification of cases involving discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes.

This dialogue builds on co-operation efforts launched in 2023 and reflects the ongoing commitment to align with European standards and national anti-discrimination laws.

At the opening of the event, Falk Lange, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, highlighted the protection against discrimination remains one of the key priorities for the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau.

We are glad to have an excellent cooperation with both institutions present here, and with the other relevant actors in the field. By joining efforts, we can advance together in improving national redress and access to justice for discriminated persons and for the protection of victims, as well as working with the general population in combating stigmatization” he said.

„After two and a half years since the National Police has new powers to apply the normative framework on documenting discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes, we are moving forward with strong determination in this area. It is important to continue joining efforts so that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova are ensured with the proper functioning of the principles of equality, dignity and freedom in terms of respect for Human Rights”, stated   Viorel Cernăuțeanu, Head of the General Police Inspectorate.

Ian Feldman, President of the Equality Council drew attention to the consequences of hatred to societies: "The real risk of hate speech and incitement to discrimination by political actors and electoral competitors are the long-term effects: the decrease in the level of social cohesion and tolerance in the society. He also added that “effective cooperation with Police, coordination of our efforts to sanction incitement to discrimination is an absolute necessity".

The Manual for Police Education on Equality and Non-discrimination in Romanian was designed to enhance police training in combating discrimination. This Council of Europe tool will play a key role in further peer-to-peer training and broader efforts to uphold human rights.

Read the Council of Europe Manual for Police Education on Equality and Non-discrimination in Romanian.

This event is part of the programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”.