Moldova: Joint NGO Submission to the UN Highlights Persistent Gaps in the Fight Against Torture
Promo-LEX Association and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) have submitted a joint stakeholder report on the Republic of Moldova to the Human Rights Council ahead of the fourth cycle of Moldova's Universal Periodic Review, to be examined at the 54th session of the UPR Working Group in January and February 2027.
While acknowledging a number of positive developments since Moldova's previous review in 2022—including a higher proportion of torture complaints leading to criminal investigations, amendments to the law on the rehabilitation of crime victims, and the adoption of a roadmap to bring the prison system closer to European standards—the report finds that impunity for torture and ill-treatment remains a serious concern, undermining effective prevention and accountability. Victims also continue to face major obstacles in accessing rehabilitation.
The report calls on the Government to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of torture, address systemic problems in places of detention—including informal prisoner hierarchies and inadequate medical care—use all available legal and diplomatic means to protect people from torture in the Transnistrian region and ensure victims there have access to rehabilitation regardless of whether perpetrators can be prosecuted, reinforce safeguards during law enforcement operations and at State borders, and guarantee all torture victims unconditional access to rehabilitation.
The report is available in English.