Considering the democratic principles and values based upon respect for human dignity, promoted and enshrined in milestone international conventions, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights;
Taking into account both the provisions of the Moldovan Constitution and legislation and the positive duty of the state of Moldova to defend and guarantee, without any discrimination, the rights, liberties and interests of all its citizens;
Noting that on 7 April 2010 the independent journalist Ernest Vardanyan was practically abducted by the illegal and anti-constitutional administration of Tiraspol, and on 16 December 2010 a so-called court in Tiraspol sentenced him to 15 years in a strict-regime prison;
Noting that during all stages of the so-called proceedings and trial Ernest Vardanyan was denied basic rights, the detainee being deprived of communication with family and independent lawyers, who furthermore were barred from participating in the so-called trial;
Remarking the inadequacy of the efforts made by the Moldovan authorities to protect the citizen Ernest Vardanyan and his family;
Considering “the sentence” of the pretended supreme court of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, pronounced on 16 December 2010, as another assault upon human rights;
Reaffirming the demands before the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova enunciated in the on 16 June 2010 RESOLUTION of Fair of European Partnership for Civil Society Organizations in Moldova concerning the situation of Ilie Cazac and Ernest Vardanyan;
Being concerned about the fate of Ernest Vardanyan, Ilie Cazac and other persons detained by the illegal administration of Tiraspol;
Reminding the authorities of Moldova and Russia that they are the only parties responsible for the state and development of human rights in the Transnistrian region;
WE REQUEST:
The governments of Moldova and Russia, anew:
- To immediately set up a commission of independent experts to visit the region and inspect the conditions in which Ernest Vardanyan, Ilie Cazac and other people in the region’s prisons are detained and treated;
- To ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Ernest Vardanyan and Ilie Cazac;
- To immediately cease any support of financial, economic or any other nature, provided to the Tiraspol regime, and condition its resumption on respect for human rights in this region of Moldova;
- To urgently undertake all the available efforts to ensure that absolutely all the persons who are “in the custody” of the Tiraspol administration fully enjoy their rights and are not subjected to torture and inhumane treatment;
- To condition financial, economic and social assistance on respect for the rights of all the inhabitants of the Transnistrian region;
The representatives of the Tiraspol administration:
- To refrain from applying torture, inhumane and degrading treatment against arrestees and people detained in prisons, militsyia stations, remand centers and any other detention facilities;
- To respect the procedural rights (to an attorney, to confer with the attorney and be visited by family, to medical care, etc.) of all the people in detention;
- To immediately and unconditionally allow a commission of experts to examine the health and detention conditions of Ernest Vardanyan and Ilie Cazac.
The Ukrainian authorities:
To impose a travel ban on the government leaders of the Transnistrian region and coordinate the list with the authorities of Moldova;
The International Community (foreign governments, international organizations and bodies):
- To intensify dialogue with the Moldovan authorities and the Tiraspol administration to ensure the immediate release of Ernest Vardanyan;
- To cancel the moratorium on the travel restrictions imposed by EU on the Transnistrian region’s leadership until the settlement of Ernest Vardanyan’s case;
- To notify the Republic of Moldova of the necessity to implement the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights;
- To suspend the bank accounts held by the Transnistrian region’s leadership in foreign countries;
- To persuade the Ukrainian authorities to introduce travel restrictions on the Transnistrian region’s leadership.
We call on the OSCE:
- To request the immediate and unconditional release of Ernest Vardanyan;
- To step up efforts and seek results in guaranteeing human rights in Moldova’s Transnistrian region;
We call on the national and international Nongovernmental Organizations:
- To undertake awareness raising activities on national and international level to urgently see the case of Ernest Vardanyan solved;
- To address appeals and other forms of messages to national and international officials stressing the necessity of ensuring the right to freedom and security to Ernest Vardanyan, Ilie Cazac and the members of their families.