In 2021, Moldova's "Strategic group for the harmonisation of law enforcement training on hate crimes", composed of representatives of the General Police Inspectorate, the Superior Council of Magistracy, the Police Academy, the Ministry of Justice and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), identified the need for two sets of cascaded training programmes in 2021. The first such training programme for police focuses on equality and non-discrimination, with the aim of strengthening preventive competencies. The second training programme aims to enhance inter-agency co-operation among criminal justice actors through a common understanding of hate crime and an integrated approach to combating such crimes.
In 2021, police officers, prosecutors and judges benefitted from trainings events undertaken as part of two regional projects organized by the Council of Europe and funded by the European Union ("Strengthening the access to justice for victims of discrimination, hate crime and hate speech in the Eastern Partnership" and "Enhancing diversity and equality in the Republic of Moldova"). First, a training-of-trainers session on equality, non-discrimination and hate crimes was organized for police officers, followed in June 2022 by the delivery of cascaded training sessions by the trainees. With the Council of Europe's support, the NIJ organized four seminars entitled "Hate crimes through ECHR's practices" for the assistants of prosecutors and judges. A specialized course on "the examination and investigation of crimes motivated by prejudice" was included in the NIJ's in-service training curricula for prosecutors and judges.
ODIHR recognizes Moldova's efforts to build the capacity of criminal justice officials to address hate crime. Based on the available information, ODIHR observes that law enforcement agencies of Moldova do not record the bias motivations behind hate crimes. In addition, ODIHR observes that Moldova would benefit from developing its victim support system to ensure effective access to justice, assistance, and protection services for hate crime victims.
ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, OSCE participating States committed to promptly investigating hate crimes and ensuring that the motives of those convicted of hate crimes are acknowledged. To that end, law enforcement agencies must first record the bias motivations behind hate crimes. In Ministerial Council Decisions 9/09 and 13/06, participating States committed to providing hate crime victims with access to counselling and legal assistance, as well as effective access to justice. Ensuring a positive interaction between police and hate crime victims requires the training of front-line officers, including providing referrals to victim support and protection services. ODIHR stands ready to support Moldova in meeting its relevant commitments through the provision of comprehensive resources and tailored assistance in the area of hate crime recording and data collection, as well as through further comprehensive resources and assistance in the area of hate crime victim support.