From 10 to 16 July 2023, on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of Republic of Moldova’s accession to the Council of Europe, the Office in Chisinau, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, organised a “Council of Europe Week 2023”. The programme was put together within the framework of the Council of Europe Days and used a variety of innovative events to show the positive impact of the Council of Europe on Moldovans’ lives.
Arts, documentary films and first-hand testimony were just some of the ways in which the Week explored key human rights themes.
A timely topic in the Republic of Moldova is Council of Europe´s response to the situation of people fleeing from neighbouring Ukraine. A public art exhibition focused on migration and the need for safety. This was based on a recent national art competition, “My house is also your house: together in safety”, which was coordinated as part of the project Strengthening the human rights protection of refugees and migrants in the Republic of Moldova.
A flash mob – “Block the hate” – raised awareness and encouraged the public to take a stance against hatred and discrimination. This was held in co-operation with the General Police Inspectorate and within the joint European Union and Council of Europe project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova” .
Five documentaries on social issues and human rights were shown in different locations, developed with the Support for Media Pluralism and Freedom of Expression in the Republic of Moldova Project’. The Human Rights Documentary Films Caravan included films such as “The sky without stars” and “Flight” about life-sentence prisoners in Rezina. The documentary “On my own” and “The price of history” were screened in Slobozia, and “Liliana’s Voice” in Stefan Voda district.
The Council of Europe Week held events in cities, towns and villages with the specific intention of engaging a range of communities, all of which benefit from knowing that work that is being done to protect their fellow citizens’ rights.
