19 specialists from 5 prisons of the National Administration of Penitentiaries (NAP) strengthened their knowledge and skills in giving effect to new approaches and measures on combating the spread of criminal subculture in the Detention Centre for Minors and Young People (DCMYP). The training session was a follow-up to the development of SOPs by the Working Group constituted jointly with the NAP of the new Policy and Standard Operating Procedures on combating this phenomenon. 

23 specialists from the prison administration system of the Republic of Moldova enhanced their abilities to reduce violence in prison institutions, promote a safer and healthy detention environment, and foster a culture of non-violence among all staff members and prisoners during a 2-day training session. The participants were guided through various techniques to promote a culture of zero tolerance for violence and bullying, and modalities to build a healthy environment to live, work and develop safely, without fear of abuse, harm, or oppression.

The members of the Moldovan Commission for monitoring and analyzing cases of family violence resulting in death or serious bodily injury of the victims participated in a study visit to Tbilisi, Georgia. With the support of the Council of Europe Project „Supporting the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the Republic of Moldova”, the participants learned and exchanged experience with Georgian counterparts in strengthening the similar mechanism on femicide cases.

The Council of Europe, in partnership with the General Police Inspectorate, has launched the HELP course aimed at equipping police officers with the necessary skills to effectively respond to cases of violence against women and domestic violence. The course covers a range of topics, including the relevant legal framework, the role of police officers in responding to cases of violence, and the importance of gender-sensitive approaches in dealing with victims of violence.

In the light of the Governor (Bashkan) elections and the new partial elections in the People’s Assembly of Autonomous Territorial Unit (ATU) Gagauzia scheduled for 30 April 2023, the Council of Europe Project “Improving Electoral Practice in the Republic of Moldova, Phase III” provided training support to the regional electoral authorities in ATU Gagauzia. The Council of Europe experts developed training materials and trained 32 members from all three District Electoral Councils and 270 of all 66 Precinct Electoral Bureaus.

80 young people from the Autonomous Territorial Unit (ATU) of Gagauzia participated in electoral educational sessions to learn about electoral processes, voting procedures and the importance of their participation in elections. The Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training and the Central Electoral Council of ATU Gagauzia, facilitated a Democracy café for young people, with a focus upon first-time voters, in Comrat, Ceadir-Lunga and Vulcanesti.

36 psychologists working for the National Centre of Psycho-pedagogical Assistance, under the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova completed a two-day training seminar on providing psychological support and assistance to children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events. The participants of the training came from 32 different districts across the country and were guided through the theoretical and practical sessions by three international experts with extensive experience in working with war trauma.

A public lecture on refugee rights for the students of the National Institute of Justice was held in partnership with the Council of Europe project “Strengthening the human rights protection of refugees and migrants in the Republic of Moldova”. Given by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova, H.E. Marko Shevchenko, and the Director of the General Inspectorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mihail Vodă, the lecture aimed to provide detailed information to future judges and prosecutors on the rights of refugees in the context of temporary protection, as well as on the status of diplomatic relations between Chisinau and Kyiv.

A citizens’ awareness campaign to combat sexism, harassment, and violence against women in elections was launched by the Council of Europe, in partnership with the national institutions.  The campaign was supported by representatives of political parties, public authorities and civil society who designed together the campaign slogan: “Nu tolerez sexismul. Îl raportez!” (“Don’t tolerate sexism. Report it!”) at the public launch in Chisinau.

Over 40 of the 75 accredited international electoral observers took part in a joint briefing, dedicated to the regional elections set for 30th April 2023. Participants benefited from the electoral authorities’ recommendations and guidelines concerning the specificity of monitoring the elections for the Governor (Bashkan) of Autonomous Territorial Unit (ATU) of Gagauzia and partial elections for its People’s Assembly.