[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E331-E332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS IN MOLDOVA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 1998

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues 
information about a serious human rights situation in the Trans-Dnestr 
region of Moldova.
  Since 1993, the men known as the ``Ilascu Six'' have been imprisoned 
for allegedly murdering two separatists in this region.
  The State Department's most recent human rights report for Moldova 
states that serious questions have been raised about the fairness of 
the trial of the ``Ilascu Six'' conducted by Trans-Dnestr officials. 
There is a strong belief that these men were persecuted for political 
reasons--solely because they are supporters of reunification with 
Romania.

[[Page E332]]

  The leader of the group is Ilie Ilascu, president of the local branch 
of the democratic Moldavian Popular Front, which favors reunification 
with Romania. Such a move is strongly opposed by the Trans-Dnestr 
ruling authorities, who instead favor a closer alliance with Russia and 
independence for the Trans-Dnestr region.
  Mr. Ilascu and three others remain in prison. One prisoner has been 
freed, and a sixth person, an infiltrator placed by the Trans-Dnestr 
secret police, was released after his testimony against the others.
  There are reports that these men have been subjected to torture and 
mock executions. Ilie Ilascu remains in isolation in a top security 
prison.
  Despite his imprisonment, in 1994 Mr. Ilascu was elected to the 
Parliament of Moldova. Although he has been duly elected, Ilie Ilascu 
has never been able to take his seat in parliament.
  According to the State Department report, a group of Moldovan doctors 
was refused access to Mr. Ilascu in the fall. Trans-Dnestr authorities 
have also refused the International Committee of the Red Cross access 
for the purpose of monitoring the conditions of the prisoners.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe we must press officials in Trans-Dnestr to 
allow access to these prisoners by the Red Cross.
  I am pleased the State Department focused on this serious situation 
in its human rights report, and hope that it will continue to raise 
this issue with the governments of Russia and Moldova.
  We should insist that Mr. Ilascu and the other prisoners be 
guaranteed their internationally-recognized human rights--the right to 
a fair trial, due process, and freedom of expression.

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