More investments, decent salaries and citizens who feel safe in Moldova. These are the expectations of the participants in the National Forum “Justice for All – 2030 Agenda,” held on 27 February 2020 in Chisinau. The event brought together over 120 participants, representatives of the Moldovan legal system, the Government, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, academia, nongovernmental organizations, media, development partners etc.

The forum was organized by INVENTO, with the contribution of the American people, U.S. State Department through Freedom House Foundation, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Moldova) and Sweden, and in partnership with Hanns Seidel Stiftung Foundation.

The participants discussed the challenges and structural barriers as well as the solutions for overcoming them, as part of three workshops:

1. Enhancing access to justice for all;
2. Reducing corruption;
3. Safe and secure communities.

These workshops match several targets defined to achieve Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, committed for Moldova when adopting the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In July 2020, our country is to present its first national voluntary review to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

“Without justice, poverty cannot be eradicated, inequalities cannot be reduced and peace and inclusion cannot be promoted. The Sustainable Development Goal 16 opens the door to a new approach which puts the individual at the heart of the justice system and where justice is the center of sustainable development. Today’s event is an opportunity to join our efforts and work towards achieving this goal,” said Alla Skvortova, Programme Specialist at UNDP Moldova, at the forum opening.

“By inviting the representatives of the Government, judicial system, prosecution, academia, attorneys, civil society organizations, and interested citizens to a dialog, we aimed to build a space for partnerships, communication and empowerment of the relevant players. Whereas, achieving significant progress in securing the rule of law, integrity safe communities are the guarantor of boosting progress towards the country’s sustainable development,” noted Ana Indoitu, President of INVENTO.

Among the recommendations agreed upon at the forum, the following are to be highlighted:

1. Increase the level of effective and efficient institutional and departmental cooperation in the legal system;
2. Draft legal acts that encourage the idea of insuring cooperation and fostering engagement in the security of the society;
3. Amend para.(3)art.46 of the Moldovan Constitution by reversing the burden of proof of the lawfulness of private property;
4. Increase the number of women in managerial positions in the justice system.

“It is very useful that we had the opportunity to exchange opinions about corruption, to draft recommendations on the justice reform, in general, and methods and strategies for fighting corruption, in particular,” said Marina Curtys, Judge at Comrat District Court.

Victoria Butușanu, member of the Civic Association “Action for Justice,” said, “At the event, we looked into Moldova’s most pressing issues: the rule of law and access to justice, reducing corruption and elimination of violence against women, by drafting the appropriate recommendations that will be passed on to the decision-makers and development partners.”