Fundraising campaign: You can bring Peace in a soul and Smile on a face.Donate to save! Donate to heal! Donate to make a difference!
http://memoria.md/en/doneaza
***************************************************************
Moldova is a small and beautiful country, but which is in "the way of all evils". That was the opinion of the chronicler Grigore Ureche (1590-1647), in his work - Chronicle of Land of Moldova.
Unfortunately, wars, violence and torture stroke our country many times. In early 40s thousands of people were exiled to GULAG and subjected to torture in labor camps from Siberia and Kazakhstan. The political persecutions continued, until the beginning of an endless transition, marked by political instability, poverty, corruption, and other negative phenomenon, including torture. The culmination of torture was in April 7, 2009 – then a peaceful march turned out to become the most painful memory of our country, form recent years. Hundreds of young people were brutally tortured. Some of them were killed…
After 7 of April 2009, an intensive movement against torture started. But the battle is not other yet – torture continues to be practiced in isolators, penitentiaries, psychiatric facilities.
RCTV Memoria was established in 1999 and so far we are struggling with the consequences of torture suffered by different generations in various times in Moldova and by refugees, in their home countries.
We are trying to restore individuals, families and the whole society.
We are supporting survivors of torture and their families to go on with their lives. We heal wounded souls.
As citizens we should care about survivors of torture and other violence, because this phenomenon influences not only the individual, but also survivor’s family, the community the survivor lives in and the whole society.
We are firmly convinced that only uniting our efforts we can solve this problem – torture in Moldova.
Right now we have about 340 souls to heal…
Help us - bring a smile on their faces by donating to support our mission.
memoria.md
https://www.facebook.com/pages/RCTV-Memoria/138239952909658?fref=ts
Help rehabilitate survivors of torture - Donate
Make a survivor smile – Donate now!
$15 Will make a survivor smile because it will be possible for the survivor to come to the Center to get so much needed help, he/she will be get reimbursement for his trip because they don’t have money to pay the tickets on their own;
$25 Will make a survivor smile because he/she will get remedy for his soul through psychotherapy;
$50 Will make a survivor smile because of the performed investigation so he/she can prove in court that he/she was tortured and get reparation for the suffering endured;
$100 Will make a survivor smile because of the possibility to get professional and much needed specific medical assistance;
>100 Will make a survivor smile because, in addition to rehabilitation services, it will be possible to seek justice because of the full documentation of suffered torture, so the perpetrators can be punished and the survivor will be able to continue his/her life with dignity.
APPEAL
European integration is construed in the Republic of Moldova as a prerequisite for sustainable development, implicitly the realization of the country’s territorial integrity. Unfortunately we found that the activation of the dialogue the European Union – the Republic of Moldova with the prospect of political association, economic integration and liberalization of visa regime for Moldovan citizens is accompanied by deliberate aggravation of the situation in the eastern part of the country with the aim of obstructing this European course. We welcome the commitment of the European Union and Yours personal one including the Declaration on the so-called legal act on Transnistria border to support the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in the interest and for the benefit of the population on both banks of the Dniester. However, the latest events in the eastern part of the country make us solicit the increase of the EU efforts to successfully implement the provisions of the negotiating framework and the defining documents signed by the Republic of Moldova with the European Commission implicitly the Action Plan on visa liberalization, and diplomatic assistance for the proper preparation for the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius. In this context, we, civil society representatives, ask:
July 9, 2013 Chişinău
Signed by:
Asociaţia pentru Politică Externă (APE), Chişinău
IDIS Viitorul, Chişinău
Asociaţia „Promo-LEX”, Chişinău
Asociația „Integritate”, Grigoriopol
Centrul de Resurse pentru Drepturile Omului (CReDO), Chişinău
Asociația „Mamele pentru Drepturile Omului”, Tiraspol
RCTV „Memoria”, Chişinău
Asociația Pedagogilor din Transnistria „LUMINA”, Grigoriopol
Centrul Analitic Independent „Expert-Grup”, Chişinău
Asociația „Promovarea Justiției Efective”, Tiraspol
Fundaţia Est-Europeană, Chişinău
Grupul de Inițiativă „Prosvet”, Dubăsari
Asociaţia Presei Independente (API), Chişinău
Centrul Parteneriat pentru Dezvoltare (CPD), Chişinău
Consiliul Naţional al Tineretului din Moldova (CNTM), Chişinău
Transparency-International Moldova, Chişinău
Alianta Centrelor Comunitare de Acces la Informatie si Instruire din Moldova, Rezina
Asociaţia „Juriştii pentru Drepturile Omului”, Chişinău
Asociatia „BIOS”, Chişinău
Insititutul pentru Drepturile Omului (IDOM), Chișinău
Institutul pentru Politici Publice (IPP), Chișinău
26 of June is the International Day of United Nations for the Support of Victims of Torture. This important event gives us the posibility to remain united and to remind to the world that torture is a serious and terrible violation of the human rights.
The rehabilitation of torture victims allows them to continue their life after trauma, in the most honest and decent way as possible. However, restoring the life of a person, whose dignity was destroyed through inhuman treatment and torture, takes time and can be only the result of a complex support - medical, psychological, legal and social, provided to them for a long term.
During the 12 years of activity, RCTV "Memoria" constantly contributed to the rehabilitation of about 1580 persons from three target groups:
In the limit of our financial possibilities, we are providing assistance and to their families.
"Rehabilitation works is torture survivor's right" is the theme for the annual campaign of 26 of June 2012. In this context, among other activities, RCTV "Memoria" also kicked off a fundraising campaign in order to help the victims of torture from Moldova, which need support and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, currently we are facing financial difficulties and because of the lack of funds, we will have to reduce the number of beneficiaries and of staff involved in their assistance. In the worst case, the center risks to close its doors, that can become a drama for those who need our support.
Thus, the team of RCTV "Memoria" makes an appeal to your generosity and will be grateful for any contribution,offered in the limit of your possibilities. We are sure that only together we will be able to help our beneficiaries and only in this way we can contribute to the improvement of their condition in order to overcome the difficult situation currently facing.
With anticipated thanks and respectfully,
The team and the beneficiaries of
RCTV “Memoria”
Seizing a historic opportunity to end torture in the Middle East and North Africa
Ten steps against torture
Geneva, 10 December 2011. On the occasion of the UN Human Rights Day, the World
Organisation against Torture (OMCT) and fourteen partner organisations from eight countries
in the Middle East and North Africa (see below) jointly call on all governments of the region to
make the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment a reality. To this end, OMCT and its
partner organisations have set forth a “10 Steps” agenda outlined below.
The year 2011 has been marked by the call for freedom and justice in the Middle East and North
Africa. The wave of popular and peaceful protests sought to overcome repressive regimes in the
region characterized by a widespread practice of torture and ill-treatment committed with impunity and
deeply entrenched in a system of emergency and special laws.
“This is an important juncture in time with a historic opportunity to bring endemic and systemic
practices of torture and ill-treatment in the region finally to an end”, said the OMCT and its fourteen
partner organisations. “It is thus vital to ensure that the fight against torture and impunity becomes
centre stage in the reform agenda of countries engaging into genuine transition. Equally, we must not
spare any effort to end the use of torture and seek accountability for those responsible for the violent
repression of dissent and opposition movements.”
While countries such as Tunisia have embarked in a transition process incidents of torture continue
calling for lasting reforms that ensure accountability and prevent torture in the future. Other
governments of the region have responded to the nascent protests by initiating certain reforms, such
as in Morocco. However, concerns over continuous practices of torture and ill-treatment, the lack of
steps to fight impunity remain acute as highlighted last week by the UN Committee Against Torture.
In others, such as Algeria, reforms have been proposed that would increase restrictions on
fundamental freedoms if they were adopted. The lifting of the state of emergency had no positive
consequences as emergency provisions had already been incorporated into common law and new
legislation fails to provide vital legal safeguards in detention, and even allows for detention in secret
places. Human rights violations, including torture, arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances,
continue to be committed by security forces with full impunity. Furthermore, the implementing decrees
of the Charter on Peace and National Reconciliation remain in force providing blanket amnesties for
State agents responsible for the crimes committed during the conflict in the 90’s.
While Tunisia and Egypt were the first countries of the region to hold free elections (Constituent
Assembly and parliamentary respectively) and new opportunities are on the horizon the legacy of
human rights violations is a daunting challenge. Especially in Egypt there has been little evidence of
meaningful reforms to end the widespread practices of torture as the Supreme Council of the Armed
Forces (SCAF) continues to rely on emergency laws and to use military courts to try civilians, to
violently repress peaceful protests and to target persons who are perceived to be critical to the
authority in place. The changes in Libya have raised enormous expectations and hopes about an end
to gross human rights violations known under the Ghaddafi regime. However, the revelations about
torture and ill-treatment and arbitrary detention, including by the forces of the transitional authority,
indicate the need for sustained efforts to prevent torture and to ensure accountability, and the full
cooperation with the International Criminal Court.
In other countries the situation remains dire, such as Yemen and Bahrain. In particular in Syria
security forces continue to respond to protests with force and the use of torture. In its report published
on 28 November 2011, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria expressed its
grave concern that crimes against humanity have been committed by Syrian military and security
forces since the repression against protests started in March 2011. Against the background of a
defiant response by Syria so far, a stronger and unanimous response by the UN, including the
Security Council, must now include a transfer to the International Criminal Court.
The protests in the Middle East and North Africa may herald the beginning of a new era in the region;
there is, however, still a long way to go before attaining freedom, justice and democracy. The
experiences in Lebanon following the “spring revolution” in 2005 illustrate the need for lasting reforms
against torture. Despite progress on individual freedoms, the country is far from having eradicated
torture in custody which remains widely practices by the security forces.
On the occasion of the universal day for human rights and to seize the momentum created by the Arab
Spring, OMCT and its fourteen partner organisations in the region have set forth a “10 Steps” agenda
against torture and accordingly urge the governments of the region and other relevant actors to fully
endorse them.
Signatories:
- Forum dignité pour les droits humains – Morocco
- Observatoire marocain des prisons (OMP) – Morocco
- Association marocaine des droits humains (AMDH) - Morocco
- Organisation marocaine des Droits de l'Homme (OMDH) - Morocco
- Collectif des Familles de Disparus en Algérie (CFDA) – Algeria
- Conseil National pour la Liberté en Tunisie (CNLT) – Tunisia
- Organisation Contre la Torture en Tunisie (OCTT) – Tunisia
- Ligue Tunisienne pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme (LTDH) – Tunisia
- Human Rights Solidarity Libya – Libya
- Land Center for Human Rights (LCHR) – Egypt
- Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR) – Egypt
- Lebanese center for human rights (LCHR) – Lebanon
- Syrian Human Rights Organization Sawassyah – Syria
- Bahrain Center for Human Rights – Bahrain
Ten steps against torture
1) Committing to an end to torture and ill-treatment
As the region is undergoing transformation governments should express publicly their unequivocal
commitment to end any practice of torture and ill-treatment, to commit to fundamental reforms
strengthening accountability for acts of torture and preventing them in the future. A clear message
needs to be sent to all law enforcement agencies that acts of torture and ill-treatment will no longer be
tolerated. In light of the continuation of systematic and widespread use of torture in some countries of
the region, such as Syria, governments, including those in the region, should use their influence within
the international community to ensure that those responsible are held accountable (cf. point 10).
2) Investigating torture, bringing perpetrators to justice
Torture is a crime under international law which imposes clear and unambiguous obligations on states
to conduct independent investigations and to bring those responsible to justice. However, despite
recent reforms in some countries there has been limited evidence of real accountability as of yet. We
recall that the obligation to investigate acts of torture is an immediate one that needs to be conducted
ex officio. This should include also investigations of past abuses to ensure that the victims of torture
are provided with remedies and reparation and to ensure that the right to truth is fully respected.
3) Ensuring the right of victims to remedy and reparation
The policies of torture have created victims which need to be recognized as such. While there is a
slowly emerging acknowledgement of past practices of torture in certain countries, there remains
insufficient recognition of the need to ensure effective remedies and reparation to victims of torture.
Any credible reform process, must be built on the recognition of torture survivors as victims of a
serious human rights violation, with full entitlement to effective remedies and reparation, including
compensation and access to legal, social and medical rehabilitation.
4) Dismantling the apparatus of repression
Dismantling the apparatus of repression and ensuring that law enforcement agencies operate within
and not outside the rule of law needs to be a key priority. A plethora of national security services has
been operating under in-transparent mandates, ambiguous legal basis and lines of command and
within a framework that has assured de jure or de facto impunity for acts of torture. A clear and
transparent legal framework, the separation between intelligence and law enforcement functions with
arrest and detention powers being the provenance of law enforcement, and effective civilian and
judicial oversight are thus core demands.
5) Demilitarizing the justice system and building a protection system
Long-standing emergency and other extraordinary laws have created repressive justice system with
military, special or state security courts, often with jurisdiction over civilians and validating information
obtained under torture. These special systems of justice need to be replaced by the jurisdiction of the
ordinary civilian justice system. Moreover, any credible and viable reform process in the region should
lead to the strengthening of judicial independence, the establishment of effective remedies, and in
countries undergoing constitutional reforms, such as in Tunisia, may also consider the establishment
of constitutional human rights remedies such as constitutional courts.
6) Preventing torture and ending incommunicado detention
Torture and ill-treatment are still a reality today in police custody in the countries of the region,
including in ‘ordinary’ criminal cases. Strengthening effective safeguards, such as immediate access to
lawyers from the moment of arrest and without need for special permission, as well as access to
independent medical expertise and other safeguards against torture must be made a reality. Effective
judicial oversight is equally required to ensure compliance with existing standards. These standards
are equally vital in national security and counter-terrorism cases to avoid abuse.
7) Establishing independent monitoring, control and oversight
Transparency is the key for protecting human rights in custody. The ratification of the Optional
Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture should be an important first step and be followed-up by
the establishment of independent national visiting mechanisms, that are properly resourced and have
access to any place of custody. Moreover, independent civil society access and monitoring of places
of detention is an important element of democratization that should be embedded in reforms
demilitarizing the penitentiary system to ensure compliance with international standards and principles
of democratic accountability.
8) Providing an enabling framework for human rights defenders and civil society
A shift away from a control to an enabling system for human rights organisations, civil society actors
that allow critical human rights reporting needs to be part of any reform process in the region. This
should ensure that laws on association and assembly are brought fully in compliance with international
standards. Authorities should also ensure that any form of threat or harassment of human rights
defenders is brought to an end and that those responsible are held to account.
9) Making international law against torture key benchmark
The lesson learnt from transition processes elsewhere is that international human rights standards
should be made a direct part of domestic law and should be one of the benchmarks for the success of
the transition process. This requires the integration of international standards into domestic law, ways
to ensure compliance of domestic law with such standards, and may include the legal reception of
decisions by universal or regional complaint mechanism. Where not yet done so states should accede
to the UN Convention Against Torture, its Optional Protocol and accept the jurisdiction of the
Committee Against Torture and the Human Rights Committee to receive individual complaints.
10) Strengthening the resolve of the international community
In light of the continuous practices of torture in parts of the region it is vital that there is a clear
response by the international community to address torture and impunity and to ensure legal
accountability. It is particularly important to ensure that in cases such as the one in Syria jurisdiction is
transferred to the ICC. We also call for the countries of the region to become actors for change that
speak up for the protection of human rights and initiate and improve the universal human rights system
and its mechanisms.
MDA 210411.1
Follow-up of the case MDA 210411
Threats/ Denial of adequate medical care/ Fear for the safety
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has received new information on the following situation in the Republic of Moldova/ Region of Transnistria.
NEW INFORMATION
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source and Antenna International, a member organisation of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, that Mr. Illie Cazac, a 25-year-old resident of Tighina (Bender), who was arrested by members of the Ministry of State Security (MGB) of the unrecognized Transnistrian authorities (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic [1] or PMR, also known as "Pridnestrovie"), on 20 March 2010, allegedly tortured and ill-treated in custody, and later sentenced to 14 years in prison "for grand treason and espionage in favour of the Republic of Moldova", remains detained in Tiraspol Penitentiary no.2, without access to an independent doctor and at risk of further threats and harassment.
According to the information received, although Mr. Illie Cazac was allowed, on 22 April 2011, to receive from his mother some food and medicines as well as to have a daily phone call with his family, he was also forced to provide a written explanation to the prison administration on how his case became known at the international level. Furthermore, according to the same information received, two criminal detainees, who had been previously detained along with Mr. Illie Cazac in Penitentiary no. 1/ Glinaia in summer 2010, and who had allegedly beaten and threatened him with death and rape, were recently transferred to Tiraspol Penitentiary no.2 without any particular reason. OMCT fears for the safety of Mr. Illie Cazac.
According to the same information received, on 22 April 2011, Mr. Illie Cazac's mother was informed that he would be allowed to "invite" a doctor to examine him, albeit only a doctor practising in the Transnistrian region. In the meantime, Mr. Illie Cazac was examined, on 26 and 27 April 2011, by a stomatologist from the prison's medical unit with regard to his toothaches. The doctor reportedly suggested him to extract six to seven teeth as the prison's medical unit is not equipped to treat dental caries, which he refused. On 16 May 2011, after complaining about chest pain, Mr. Illie Cazac was reportedly again examined by a doctor from the medical unit and had an electrocardiogram (ECG). However, he was reportedly not properly informed by the doctor about the diagnosis and the medicines his mother would need to buy for him. Mr. Illie Cazac would also suffer from digestive and gastric problems.
OMCT reiterates its previous call to the de facto Transnistrian authorities to guarantee that Mr. Illie Cazac is promptly examined by an independent doctor and to allow his transfer to a hospital where he can receive adequate medical care. More generally, OMCT remains gravely concerned about the safety and physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ilie Cazac and of his family and reiterates its call to the de facto Transnistrian authorities to guarantee his safety at all times.
OMCT had earlier been informed about the arrest and detention of Mr. Illie Cazac, an appointed inspector at the city's tax inspectorate, on 20 March 2010, on alleged charges of "state betrayal" and "espionage in favor of the Republic of Moldova" (according to the version of the Transnistrian authorities). To date, the details of the accusations remain unclear. After Mr. Ilie Cazac's arrest, his home was also reportedly searched by members of the MGB.
According to the information received, Mr. Ilie Cazac was arrested at home, in the city of Tighina, and first held incommunicado. His family was not informed about his arrest and fate for two weeks. Mr. Cazac allegedly suffered torture and ill-treatment, including beatings and conditions of detention amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, with a view of extracting a "confession" (see Urgent appeal MDA 240111).
According to the same information, Mr. Ilie Cazac was assisted in court by a lawyer appointed by the de facto Transnistrian authorities after being refused a lawyer from outside the region. This lawyer allegedly never informed on the details of the case. On 9 February 2011, following a trial held behind closed doors, Mr. Ilie Cazac was reportedly sentenced by the Supreme Court of the Transnistrian region to 14 years in prison.
Mr. Ilie Cazac was subsequently transferred to the Tiraspol Penitentiary no.2, where he has remained detained in poor health. He complained of terrible toothaches and inflammation but he was refused any adequate medical care and treatment.
OMCT has also been informed that Mr. Ilie Cazac's family has been repeatedly harassed, intimidated and threatened since his arrest by representatives of the de facto Transnistrian authorities, with the result that his family was forced to leave its home in Tighina.
ACTION REQUESTED
Please write to the de facto authorities of the Region of Transnistria (so-called Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic), the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation, and urging them to:
ADDRESS:
De facto Transnistrian authorities:
Republic of Moldova:
Russian Federation:
Please also write to the embassies of the Republic of Moldova and of the Russian Federation in your respective country.
*******
Geneva, 17 May 2011.
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
[1] The Transnistrian region broke away from Moldova, declaring independence unilaterally in 1990. The self proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) is not recognized by the international community. Tighina (Bender) is a town controlled by the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and of the self-proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Since the Moldovan-Russian Agreement on 21 July 1992, Tighina (Bender) is under a strong Russian peacekeeping presence.
RCTV "MEMORIA", Medical Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims, is the first and only active rehabilitation centre for torture victims, inhuman and/or degrading treatments from the Republic of Moldova, providing care to persons with suffering of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder syndorme and its consequences.
RCTV Memoria is financially supproted only through donations, and its beneficiaries are:
Torture Victims among former political repressions;
Torture Victims among refugees and asylum seekers;
Recent victims of torture from Moldova;
Since 26th of May - till 26th of June 2008, RCTV „Memoria" gave the start to the marathon „ Let's build toghether" which has the aim to collect funds for the building of a new office.
The premises MEMORIA is using at the moment are rented and the available space is too small to ensure rehabilitation services at the needed level. Therefore we address your generosity and ask for your help in supporting this group of people and MEMORIA centre. MEMORIA is the only institution in Moldova where current and past victims of torture and ill-treatments find professional assistance, and although we have the expertise, the necessity of an appropriate own headquarters became urgent if we want to continue treating them.
Your contribution will be highly apreciated and welcomed, and your name will be included in „the Golden List of Donors from the RCTV „Memoria" office", which will be engraved and fixed at the on the frontispiece.
We want to have a society without victims, violence and torture, that's why we have to join our efforts.
The RCTV „Memoria" team, will be grateful for each and every help or aid, which will allow us to continue and extend our activity in order to ensure the needed assistance for our beneficiaries.
Donations can be transferred in the following accounts:
BCA Victoriabank fil.№3, Chisinau 31 August str., 141, MD-2004
bank code VICBMD2X416
bank account USD-222400100104389
bank account EUR-222411700104389
On behalf of our beneficiaries and our team,
Respectfully yours,
Dr. Ludmila Popovici,
Executive Director
RCTV "Memoria"
Copyright © 2014 MEMORIA
Design by
www.polygon-delta.com
This web site is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of RCTV Memoria and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.