Authorities of the Republic of Moldova requested WHO to conduct a technical visit in the Transnistrian region

Chisinau requested the World Health Organization to send an exclusively technical mission to the Transnistrian region, which is a component part of the Republic of Moldova, where the constitutional authorities cannot guarantee respect of human rights, including population's access to medical services.

The request was sent after OSCE informed about the lack of plans to convene a 5+2 meeting for the Transnistrian conflict settlement, called for by Chisinau to examine the situation related to COVID-19 and health issues in the region. Thus, the Bureau of Reintegration makes use of tools, alternative to those historically established, as to find out about realities of the pandemic crisis and respect of human rights in terms of health in the Transnistrian region.

Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Cristina Lesnic, highlighted that the priority agenda during the emergency situation foresees identifying a balance on health and respect of human rights in the Republic of Moldova, which also includes the state of population’ health in the Transnistrian region, where about 320,000 Moldovan citizens reside. 

"We ascertain with concern that self-isolation of the Transnistrian region and impediment of free movement in conjunction with access to health care for Moldovan citizens medically insured by the Republic of Moldova, as well as accuracy of data and information from the field, severely affect human rights and risk management in pandemic conditions", said Cristina Lesnic.