[JURIST] UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic [official profile] on Thursday acknowledged [press release] the Republic of Moldova’s [official website] recent efforts to address governmental issues and promote human rights. Simonovic noted various reforms implemented by Prime Minister Pavel Filip, including a National Human Rights Action Plan [text, PDF] and a requirement that Moldova’s Parliament be 40 percent female. Simonovic also stressed that Moldova must continue to implement recommended reforms and address high level corruption in order to revitalize trust in its government and counter human rights issues on all fronts. Among his recommendations were revising criminal code provisions, addressing discriminatory legislation, and implementing input from civil societies and Moldova’s Council for Combating and Preventing Discrimination and Ensuring Equality. Simonovic stated that the UN will continue to support reform in Moldova as its government stays committed to promoting human rights. Moldova will receive further recommendations for change after it undergoes its second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) [text] later this year.

Moldova’s human rights record had previously been a matter of major concern to international human rights groups. In 2012 Amnesty International condemned [JURIST report] Moldova’s chemical castration law. That same year the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled [JURIST report] a Moldova gay protest ban violated the right to protest. A UN Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice urged [JURIST report] the Moldovan government to adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination law. The rights of the Romani people have also caused controversy. In 2013 a UN rights expert urged [JURIST report] EU member states to do more to ensure that Roma peoples receive the support necessary to fully enjoy all their basic human rights.