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The Republic of Moldova marks 10 years since the tragic events of April 7, 2009. On that day and the days that followed, more than 600 people were detained by the police after the violent incidents in Chisinau. Among those detained and ill-treated by law enforcement officers, four people died in suspicious circumstances. The state only took responsibility for the death of one of them, Valeriu BOBOC, who died from the received injuries.

Shortly after the violence of April 7, 2009, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) visited Moldova. They recommended to the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to take determined actions to ensure the principle of "zero tolerance" towards ill-treatment through the criminal justice system and to improve the investigation of ill-treatment cases. It was also recommended to make systemic changes in the police work procedures and transfer the responsibility of detention isolators from the police to the custody of the Ministry of Justice.

On October 20, 2009, Parliament decided to set up an inquiry commission to elucidate the causes and consequences of the events that occurred after April 5, 2009 and on July 8, 2010, the Parliament approved the report of the committee of inquiry. Today, citizens of the Republic of Moldova still have questions regarding the investigation of the causes and consequences of the events that occurred after April 5, 2009. At the same time, we positively appreciate that the Prosecutor's Office regularly publishes statistical information and updates regarding the case management of the events of April 2009. This information confirms the existence of selective justice and the lack of firm condemnation of ill-treatment cases by state institutions at all levels.

The claiming justice process faced many obstacles, including scarce resources and insufficient expertise to document and investigate torture cases and other alleged crimes. The criminal justice system was not fit to deal with the April 2009 events. These obstacles favored impunity. Many of these statements still remain relevant now. Public opinion is still awaiting justice, the firm punishment of those guilty of maltreatment towards protesters, prevention of future abuse, and the commitment towards a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding abuses committed by law enforcement bodies.

Signatory organizations note that 10 years after these events, effective investigation and sanctioning of those responsible has failed. We regret to note that law enforcement bodies continue to, on a frequent manner, use disproportionate force, apply tear gas without any justification, abstain from wearing identification elements on uniforms, while policymakers and politicians remain reluctant to implement profound reforms to reduce unjustified detention, improve detention conditions, ensure the trust of the judiciary in justice and rehabilitation services, and apply appropriate punishments.