Promoting a human rights compliant criminal justice system in the Republic of Moldova

The Programme ”Promoting a human rights compliant criminal justice system in the Republic of Moldova” is in line with the strategic priorities for cooperation as formulated in the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for 2017-2020, and is funded by the Norwegian government.

It is aimed to ensure a higher respect for human rights and the rule of law by assisting the national authorities in building up an efficiently functioning criminal justice system, in line with European human rights standards, and based on the principles of humanisation, resocialisation and restorative justice.

Main intervention areas will cover policy/legal framework, institutional and practical implementation levels, with the focus on:

Consolidation of criminal justice policy, legislation and judiciary practice in line with international standards with respect to the liberalization of criminal proceedings, including strengthening the application of non-custodial pre-trial preventive measures and sanctions, alternative sanctions in criminal cases, improvement of probation services and release on parole mechanisms
Better treatment and resocialisation of inmates by improving the regulatory and policy framework as well as prison staff capacities relevant to regime arrangements and management of prisons, implementation of treatment programmes and provision of health care services for inmates;
Support towards the development of the capacities of criminal justice stakeholders in the light of the implementation of the on-going reforms, including judiciary, prosecution service, as well as Ombudsperson’s institution and National Prevention Mechanism (NPM).

The Programme is expected to be implemented in 36 months (as of 1 March 2018).

Useful information

PROJECT NEWS

Back Revising the Law 300/2017 on the administration of the prison system in the Republic of Moldova

@ Council of Europe

In the context of the assistance provided to the National Administration of Penitentiaries (NAP) of the Republic of Moldova, the first session of a Working Group (WG) on revising the Law No. 300/2017 on the administration of the prison system was held in Chisinau, on 23-24 May 2019.

The WG analysed the effects, challenges and best practices of implementation of the Law No.300/2017 observed since its entrance into force. . The discussions were structured in several thematic areas: the principles of the law, economic activities, management competencies, medical assistance, recruitment and employment, discipline procedures and motivational package for staff. Participants also discussed and analysed the Council of Europe standards and best practices in several member states in relation to each of the thematic areas.

Following the thematic review, the WG embedded several important concepts like “dynamic security” and “purposeful activities” in the draft text of the revised Law, in order to strengthen and support these principles. The major concerns of staff retention and staff training were tackled as well. Concluding the meeting, the WG members agreed on the operational tasks and working methods of the Group and defined further key areas of intervention.

The WG is composed of representatives of specialised Departments of NAP and prison governors, and is facilitated by the Council of Europe consultants. It is organised under the auspices of the Programme “Promoting a human rights compliant criminal justice system in the Republic of Moldova”, funded by the Government of Norway and implemented by the Council of Europe.

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova 23-24 May 2019