People's Advocate Office
The National Human Rights Institution, known as the People’s Advocate Office (PAO), is strongly committed to a human rights-based approach and acts by the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova and national legislation. The institution’s activities are governed by Law No. 52 of April 3, 2014, on the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman) and by Law No. 164 of July 31, 2015, which approves the Office’s organizational and operational regulations.
The People’s Advocate Office (PAO) was established in full compliance with the Paris Principles, which outline the role, structure, and operational methods of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI). In 2023, the institution was re-accredited with A-status by international organizations, reaffirming its alignment with international standards for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The Office is a public authority that operates autonomously and is independent organizationally, functionally, operationally, and financially from any public authority, or legal entity regardless of type of ownership or legal form of organization, and from any individual, including those holding positions of responsibility at any level.
Broadly speaking, the PAO is a team of professionals experienced in areas relevant to human rights. The team’s purpose is to support the People’s Advocates in fulfilling their mandate to protect and promote fundamental human rights, as provided by law.
The PAO operates on fundamental principles that support the institution’s independence and objectivity, including:
- Independence;
- Objectivity;
- Transparency;
- Compliance with the law in force;
- Impartiality.
The mandate of the People’s Advocate Office includes the protection, and promotion of fundamental human rights and freedoms, as well as the prevention of their violation, through:
- Monitoring: supervising the respect for human rights by public authorities and other entities; intervening promptly in cases of abuse or irregularities.
- Investigation: examining complaints related to human rights violations and taking action on its initiative in cases of evident violations.
- Advocacy: engaging in advocacy by making recommendations to public authorities and highlighting human rights issues to foster behavioral changes that will improve quality of life.
- Informing and training: raising public awareness about human rights through training and community outreach.
- Legal assistance: providing legal support to individuals whose rights were violated, inclusively by the mediation of cases and by their representation in court.
Structurally, the Office consists of:
- People’s Advocate and two deputies;
- People’s Advocate on the Rights of the Child;
- Secretary-General;
- Subdivisions with the status of directorates, departments, sections, services;
- Territorial representations (in Balti, Cahul, Comrat, and Varnita).
Additionally, the following councils operate under the People’s Advocate Office:
- Council for the Prevention of Torture;
- Advisory Council for Refugees;
- Advisory Council for Children;
- Council for National and Ethnolinguistic Minorities.
