OSCE Mission to Moldova launches new trial monitoring report

CHISINAU, 19 June 2008 - The OSCE Mission to Moldova launched the second report of the OSCE Trial Monitoring Programme for the Republic of Moldova today in Chisinau.

The report, "Observance of Fair Trial Standards and Corresponding Rights of Parties during Court Proceedings", presents the findings of the first full year of trial observation in all district and appellate courts within the Chisinau Municipality, including the Supreme Court of Justice. The report is based on the monitoring of almost 2,400 hearings between April 2006 and May 2007.

"While this report shows certain progress in the activity of the courts, it also reveals that more efforts are still needed for the full implementation of fair trial rights in practice," said Claus Neukirch, OSCE Deputy Head of Mission, at the launch ceremony.

"We are in particular concerned about the high number of court sessions conducted in the small offices of judges, as well as the frequent delays and postponements of hearings," he said. "These practices might affect the right of defendants to a fair trial in a reasonable period of time."

The Chair of the Supreme Council of Magistracy, Nicolae Clima, and General Prosecutor Valeriu Guburlea took part in the presentation of the report.

The Trial Monitoring Programme was launched by the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in March 2006. The Programme started in Chisinau Municipality, and was extended last September to include three districts of Moldova. A total of 6,000 court hearings have been monitored since the start of the programme.