Few people know that Pridnestrovie has already acceded to a number of important UN and Council of Europe conventions on human rights. But as a country founded on the freedom and liberty of a multi-ethnic people to choose its own destiny, the republic pays much more than just lip service to human rights.

On September 15, 1992, Parliament of Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica adopted a resolution "On the attitude of the PMR towards international treaties and other documents regarding human rights."

As per this act, Pridnestrovie ratified and declared in force on its territory the following human rights conventions -

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966);
  
• European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1950);
  
• Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948);
  
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966);

stating that as of the date of the act these are in effective force "on the territory of Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica regardless of whether the PMR is or is not member of the corresponding international organizations."

On May 28, 2002, the Moldovan representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Oldrich Andrysek, recognized these human rights conventions as being in effect in Pridnestrovie by virtue of
decree No. 226, dated 22 September 1992 and signed by then-Speaker of Parliament Grigori Marakutsa, an ethnic Moldovan. As the UNHCR confirms, the decree certifies that Pridnestrovie's administration subscribes to the listed international documents irrespective of its membership of the respective organizations.

Pridnestrovie's Constitution [0] also puts specific emphasis on the country's respect for human rights and freedoms, civil rights and liberties, and the generally recognized principles and norms of international law.

As could be expected from any country emerging from Soviet rule, the situation on human rights is mixed. Security services, in particular, had to be retrained on the importance of the human rights protocols to which Pridnestrovie had acceded.

The situation in the early years of the republic were further complicated by the fact that Pridnestrovie had been the victim of an armed conflict, involving agression and invasion from Moldova. Lingering security concerns in the aftermath of the conflict caused the police in the small country to be over-zealous at times. This was mostly an issue in the 1990s. Lately, with a new generation of law enforcement in charge, human rights are at the top of Pridnestrovie's civil development priorities.

Several human rights groups, some with international funding, are currently active in the country. Although they (and the government) realize that things are not yet perfect, everyone agree that the human rights record of Pridnestrovie has greatly improved in recent years. Pridnestrovie especially stands out in the field of civil and political freedoms, freedom of religion, and the protection of minorities. Spokesmen for large ethnic majorities, such as Moldovans living in Pridnestrovie, confirm that life is better here than in the Republic of Moldova and that civil liberties are - on the whole - generally observed to a higher degree.

The death penalty was abolished in Pridnestrovie by Decree no. 263, signed 6 July 1999. In 2001, following the recommendations of human rights campaigners, Pridnestrovie reviewed the case of Ilie Ilaşcu and overturned a prior conviction, leading to his release that same year.

A dedicated human rights commission is in session under country's reform-controlled parliament. As Pridnestrovie advances towards a closer integration with Europe and the international community, the effect on both local and international human rights legislation will be deeply felt in Pridnestrovian society. The country needs a partnership with Europe and the full recognition of its efforts and advances made in the area of human rights. The parliamentary commission envisions that for this to happen on a fast-track basis, bilateral and multilateral ties will be constructed along with a broader international legal recognition of the country. Pridnestrovie has a European way of life so it is easy for democracy to take root here, given the openness and willingness of other countries as well.

The four main human rights treaties entered into effect in Pridnestrovie a full five years before their September 1997 ratification by the neighboring Republic of Moldova. Nevertheless, throughout the years, international Human Rights NGOs and international bodies have underlined a number of serious deficiencies regarding respect for basic European human rights standards in both countries. In an effort to improve the situation, the opposition-controlled parliament in Pridnestrovie created a new institution, the Ombudsman, in May 2006 and funded the institution with a budget and a staff to oversee human rights compliance. Observers expect this to improve the human rights situation in Pridnestrovie, whereas in Moldova - on the other side of the Dniester - the situation is rapidly deteriorating [0] from bad to worse.

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