OSCE supports summer school for human rights defenders

The OSCE Mission to Moldova, in co-operation with the Center for Protection of Human Rights in Transdniestria, a non-governmental organization, held a summer school on practical ways to enhance the protection of human rights, from 8 to 10 July 2011 in Vadul lui Voda.

“We seek to build the capacity of human rights organizations to better ensure the promotion and defence of human rights – to the same extent on the left bank of the Dniestr as we do on the right bank,” said Philip Remler, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

The training sessions brought together members of non-governmental organizations active in promoting human rights in Transdniestria, independent experts and media representatives. The three-day programme covered national and international mechanisms to protect human rights, practical lessons on how to apply to the European Court of Human Rights and methods for lobbying and advocacy.

“The summer school gives new impetus to the human rights movement in Transdniestria,” said Grigorii Volovoi, the director of the Center for Protection of Human Rights in Transdniestria.

The participants also met with ambassadors and representatives from the permanent delegations to the OSCE in Vienna, who visited the summer school at the end of their four-day visit to Moldova.

“Meeting the OSCE ambassadors was very interesting and helpful,” said Sergei Kulik, the director of the Association of Veterans for Survival. “We could discuss with them openly any issues related to the human rights situation in Transdniestria.”