The People’s Advocate Office (PAO) of the Republic of Moldova is proud to announce the reaffirmation of its “A” status, granted on October 24, 2023, by the Subcommittee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). This “A” status confirms our strong commitment to independence, pluralism, and effectiveness in promoting and protecting human rights in Moldova and around the world.
The Paris Principles provide a vital framework for ensuring compliance with international standards in the human rights area, and the PAO’s “A” status reflects our full dedication to upholding these principles. According to the status of national institutions, accredited by GANHRI, the People’s Advocate Office is one of 30 national human rights institutions in the European region accredited with “A” status.
Citizens of the Republic of Moldova will directly benefit from the PAO’s “A” status through:
- Effective human rights protection: Society benefits from a strong and efficient institution capable of promptly intervening in cases of human rights violations and providing appropriate protection to citizens.
- Access to an independent institution: Citizens have access to an entity that operates independently of the government, ensuring impartial and objective approaches to resolving human rights issues.
- Alignment of national standards with international ones: Reaccreditation facilitates collaboration and dialogue between the PAO and international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and the European Union, reinforcing Moldova’s commitment to international human rights standards and improving respect for these rights in society.
- High level of compliance by state authorities: By maintaining “A” status and adhering to the Paris Principles, the PAO helps consolidate public trust in government institutions and ensure transparency and accountability in the human rights domain.
- Education and awareness: The People’s Advocate Office contributes to public education and the implementation of awareness programs on human rights, fostering a more informed and engaged society.
“Reaccreditation of the People’s Advocate Office with ‘A’ status is not just an achievement, but an ongoing responsibility. Maintaining this high level of recognition from international institutions is a challenge for both the Ombudsman Institution and the entire governance of the Republic of Moldova. Continuous compliance with the Paris Principles and preservation of ‘A’ status must be a long-term development priority not only for the People’s Advocate Office but for the entire governmental structure of the Republic of Moldova,” emphasised the People’s Advocate, Ceslav Panico.
During this year’s reevaluation, GANHRI’s Subcommittee on Accreditation identified several key recommendations to enhance the PAO’s effectiveness and independence. These essential recommendations include the need for adequate staff, ensuring equitable salaries, fair compensation, and suitable working conditions. These elements are critical to the institution to fulfil its mandate effectively and to attract and retain qualified and experienced employees. The Subcommittee also emphasised the importance of allocating funds for facilities and buildings that are accessible to the broader community.
Another important recommendation concerned the legal protection of PAO members from liability for actions taken in good faith in their official capacity. This protection is crucial for the security of officeholders, the institution’s ability to critically analyze and independently comment on human rights issues, and for maintaining public trust in the People’s Advocate Office.
In this context, it is important to recognize that persistent challenges – such as adequate funding, fair salaries, and accessible buildings – mentioned in the reevaluation report of October 24, 2023, not only negatively impact the People’s Advocate Office, but may also undermine the international reputation and commitments of the Republic of Moldova. Given Moldova’s status as a candidate country for European Union membership, it is imperative to uphold a strong commitment to the shared values of democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.
This status reaffirms our unwavering commitment, as a National Human Rights Institution, to uphold the Paris Principles and continue protecting and promoting human rights in the Republic of Moldova and worldwide.
