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OSCE launches trial monitoring to improve Moldova's judiciary
CHISINAU 20 March 2006
CHISINAU, 20 March 2006 - The OSCE Mission to Moldova announced today the launch of a national trial observation network to raise civil society's understanding of court procedures and to enhance citizens's trust in the judicial system.
"Our aim is to help Moldova to comply with OSCE commitments on the right to a fair trial, to strengthen the rule of law, and to promote respect for human rights," said Gottfried Hanne, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission. "Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, since this implies fair outcomes achieved through fair procedures."
The trial monitoring project was launched in partnership with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the American Bar Association (ABA/CEELI), the Institute for Penal Reform, the Superior Council of Magistracy and the Office of the General Prosecutor. The project aims to monitor and disseminate information on compliance with fair trial standards, strengthen civil society's capacity to monitor and accurately report on trials, and raise awareness of people's right to a fair trial.
The start of the monitoring is set for April 2006, lasting until April 2007. Members of the network will monitor the application of substantive legal protection in the areas of trafficking, domestic violence, crimes against the administration of justice, and corruption. Emphasizing a human rights-based approach, special attention will be paid to the rights of witnesses and victims involved in court proceedings.
The launching ceremony will take place at the OSCE Mission's premises on Tuesday, 21 March, at 17.00. Thirty senior law students and junior lawyers as well as NGO representatives who have just been trained as trial monitors will receive their certificates in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Valerian Christea, the Chairwoman of Moldova's Superior Council of Magistracy, Valeria Sterbet, and Prosecutor General Valeriu Balaban.
"Our aim is to help Moldova to comply with OSCE commitments on the right to a fair trial, to strengthen the rule of law, and to promote respect for human rights," said Gottfried Hanne, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission. "Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, since this implies fair outcomes achieved through fair procedures."
The trial monitoring project was launched in partnership with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the American Bar Association (ABA/CEELI), the Institute for Penal Reform, the Superior Council of Magistracy and the Office of the General Prosecutor. The project aims to monitor and disseminate information on compliance with fair trial standards, strengthen civil society's capacity to monitor and accurately report on trials, and raise awareness of people's right to a fair trial.
The start of the monitoring is set for April 2006, lasting until April 2007. Members of the network will monitor the application of substantive legal protection in the areas of trafficking, domestic violence, crimes against the administration of justice, and corruption. Emphasizing a human rights-based approach, special attention will be paid to the rights of witnesses and victims involved in court proceedings.
The launching ceremony will take place at the OSCE Mission's premises on Tuesday, 21 March, at 17.00. Thirty senior law students and junior lawyers as well as NGO representatives who have just been trained as trial monitors will receive their certificates in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Valerian Christea, the Chairwoman of Moldova's Superior Council of Magistracy, Valeria Sterbet, and Prosecutor General Valeriu Balaban.