Moldova
Moldova regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. In 2017, ODIHR and the OSCE Mission to Moldova co-organized a workshop for police, prosecutors and civil society on understanding and improving hate crime recording and data collection, which led to a set of recommendations for relevant state authorities.
Moldova has set up a "Strategic Group" tasked with identifying gaps in the capacity of police to effectively identify and investigate hate crimes. Moldova's National Human Rights Action Plan (2018-2022) also addresses hate crimes, and has provided a basis for the adoption of internal action plans related to hate crime recording and data collection, hate crime investigation, and hate crime training.
Following a request by Moldova's Ministry of Justice, in 2016 ODIHR provided a legal opinion on draft amendments related to bias-motivated offences. ODIHR's recommendations were largely reflected in amendments to the Criminal Code adopted by the Moldovan Parliament and published on 3 June 2022.
OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES
| Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | 7 | 6 | 3 |
| 2021 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| 2020 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2018 | 10 | 5 | 41 |
| 2017 | 17 | 5 | 10 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 | Not available |
| 2013 | 4 | Not available | 0 |
| 2012 | 3 | Not available | Not available |
| 2011 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2010 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Hate crime recorded by police
KEY OBSERVATION
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime, Anti-Semitic hate crime, Hate crime against Christians and members of other religions
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) recommended that Moldova ensure hate crimes are effectively prosecuted and punished. It noted the need for better response by Moldovan authorities to anti-Semitic incidents, including vandalism of religious sites and it encouraged Moldova to prevent acts directed at minorities or the religious sites of minorities and to investigate and prosecute these cases when they do occur.
Racist and xenophobic hate crime, Anti-LGBTI hate crime
The UN Human Rights Council, in its Universal Periodic Review, encouraged Moldova to further strengthen measures to prevent and investigate hate crimes, including against LGBT people.
Anti-Roma hate crime
The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe expressed concern about the use of anti-Roma rhetoric by public figures.
Hate crime against Christians and members of other religions
The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief encouraged the Moldovan Government to speak out clearly against any manifestations of religious hatred and intolerance. He also addressed issues relating to violence motivated by religious bias and attacks against places of worship, in particular by sending communications to governments, inquiring about a serious case of physical assault and ongoing discrimination and harassment against a Baptist in Moldova.