Republic of Moldova

Description:

Objectives:

• Strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of the Center of Forensic Medicine in the examination of the torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment cases at the national level;
• Increase the quality of forensic documentation brought before courts and to other public review instances in cases where torture or other forms of ill-treatment is alleged;
• Increase partnership and awareness between governmental and non-governmental organisations for improving the situation on torture, and in particular as pertains to securing timely, high-quality forensic evidence in cases of torture.  

Benefits expected:

• Feasibility of forensic examinations assessed and advocacy measures implemented to ensure quality, access and plurality of forensic services;
• Support in carrying out external audit for the Centre for Forensic Medicine provided;
• Specialised trainings to 200 forensic experts, medical personnel from the detention places and penitentiary institutions, hospitals, independent medical practitioners on examination techniques and relevant standards when dealing with torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment cases designed and provided;
• Specialized guidance and trainings for 200 representatives of police, prosecution and judiciary to investigate and adjudicate the cases of torture, compliant to the Istanbul Protocol designed and provided;
• Histopathological laboratory of the Centre of Forensic Medicine and its territorial forensic departments equipped with necessary forensic equipment and supplies as well as IT and other equipment;
• Forensic experts of the Centre and other relevant counterparts exposed to the international experience of forensic examination on torture cases, including via study visits, twinning or similar arrangements;
• Up-to-date forensic library at the Centre of Forensic Medicine created;
• Small Grants Programme (SGP) developed and implemented to develop the capacity of NGOs to partner in the promotion of the rights of the victims of torture, provision of legal support, implementation of rehabilitation and social inclusion initiatives/services;
• Legislative review and work toward amendments to policy and law to ensure changes implementing European and international recommendations, in particular those of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) carried out;
• Coordination and partnership mechanism between the Center for Forensic Medicine and National Preventive Mechanism strengthened;
• Aid to individuals in need to ensure objective, timely, comprehensive and independent forensic examination provided;
• Round-tables and/or other discussion forums with the wide participation of forensic experts, law enforcement and judiciary and other relevant public officials organized;
• As part of the existing Communication and Information Strategy of Prevention of Torture, special public awareness events/products organised and developed.

Public
awareness:

Project’s communication strategy includes trainings for forensic experts, medical personnel from the detention places and penitentiary institutions, hospitals, independent medical practitioners, promotional materials, special public awareness campaigns and conferences.

Partners:

Center of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Internal Affairs, General Prosecutor’s Office, Department of Penitentiary Institutions, Superior Council of Magistracy, Center for Human Rights, National Council for State Guaranteed Legal Aid, Moldovan Institute for Human Rights, Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims “Memoria”, OSCE.

Noteworthy:

The project will support actions on human rights and democracy issues, including dialogues on human rights, human rights defenders, the death penalty, torture, and armed conflict in line with the provisions of the European Commission Strategy Paper 2007-2011. It will make an identifiable contribution to the functioning of the Centre of Forensic Medicine in Moldova and the system of medical personnel in the detention places and penitentiary institutions.