Non-governmental media organizations condemn the perpetuation of abusive and illegal practices by the separatist regime in Tiraspol in relation to journalists and ask the constitutional authorities of the Republic of Moldova to ensure its citizens the rights and freedoms guaranteed by law.
On January 24, TV8 journalist Viorica Tătaru was detained by unrecognized security forces in Tiraspol while carrying out her journalistic mission. We warn the legitimate authorities of the Republic of Moldova about the seriousness of the interference with human rights and freedoms, guaranteed at the national and international levels, both through the violation of individual freedoms and the safety of people, as well as through the interference with the special rights guaranteed to journalists.
We remind you that art. 25 of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova guarantees the inviolability of individual freedom and the safety of the person, and by virtue of art. 4 para. (1) of the Law on freedom of expression, the state is obliged to guarantee the freedom of expression of the mass media. Thus, no one can prohibit or prevent the mass media from disseminating information of public interest except under the conditions of the law. Moreover, para. (5) of the same article provides that the intentional illegal obstruction of mass media activity attracts criminal liability.
The signatory organizations vehemently condemn the abusive and illegal actions of the separatist forces in Tiraspol, directed against journalists, and signal the inadmissibility of tolerating such serious violations.
We ask the legitimate authorities of the Republic of Moldova to intervene immediately for the release of the journalist Viorica Tătaru, detained in Tiraspol, but also to take the necessary measures to ensure the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the press law.
- Center for Independent Journalism
- Media Guard Association
- Association of Electronic Press
- Association of Independent Press
- “Access-Info” Center
- Center for Journalistic Investigations
- Committee for Freedom of the Press
- RISE Moldova
