[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17393]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      MOLDOVA'S UPCOMING ELECTION

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, the Republic of Moldova holds repeated 
parliamentary elections on July 29, after previous elections on April 5 
this year were followed by youth protests to display their lack of 
trust in the electoral process. These protests turned violent and led 
to arrests of hundreds of protesters, their severe beatings, and 
inhumane treatment while in police custody. Even an independent member 
of Parliament, Valentina Cusnir, was abused and beaten by police, 
suffering injuries. Three young men have died, and the cause of death 
is reported to be injuries from the beatings they received. Foreign 
journalists were expelled and local reporters were arrested and 
intimidated, their equipment was confiscated. The parliamentarian 
opposition parties, which accused the Communist Party in power of 
election fraud, have boycotted elections of the new President that, 
ultimately, triggered repeated elections. The Organization for Security 
and Cooperation in Europe stated that Moldova's recent elections had 
``shortcomings that challenged some OSCE commitments, in particular the 
disregard for due process in adjudicating complaints of alleged 
irregularities and deficiencies in the compilation of voter lists 
lodged by opposition political parties.''
  On July 29, the Government of Moldova has another chance to show her 
citizens and the international community that it remains committed to 
democratic principles and international standards. Moldovan authorities 
must provide access for all electoral participants and civil society 
experts to public media outlets, as well as ensure the ability of 
voters abroad to participate in this important poll. The United States 
should condition good relations with the new government of Moldova 
based on its respect for the rule of law and human rights. The U.S. 
Helsinki Commission, which I chair, will continue to monitor the 
conduct of the electoral process in Moldova and will hold a public 
briefing following the elections.

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