Country Report: Moldova July 2026
- Vladimir Kovtun | Genocide Watch
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Vladimir Kovtun
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Republic of Moldova has continued to experience authoritarian influence and weak rule of law. Most recently, from 2015 to 2019, the oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc effectively controlled Moldova and entrenched a system of corruption and oppression towards opposition figures. Despite the election of the more democratic Party of Action and Solidary (PAS) to power in 2021, Moldova struggles with notable human rights issues, including torture, prevalent domestic violence, and discrimination against the country’s Roma minority.
Systemic torture is a significant issue within Moldova’s police and prison systems. Ill-treatment, including beatings and physical assault, remains common during detention. Torture investigations tend to last over four years, and only 5% of investigations result in convictions. Prison hierarchies also contribute to this abuse. The Council of Europe notes that, as of 2025, Moldova has not made considerable progress in addressing informal prison hierarchies. Prison guards have de facto relinquished control of prisons to certain inmates. Individuals considered “untouchables” face significant abuse without recourse. Overall, Moldovan prisons have a culture of intimidation and violence that is not commensurate with the rule of law.
Domestic violence reports increased 50%, reaching 20,000 from 2024 to 2025. It has to be noted that increased awareness may explain part of this rise by encouraging more victims to report abuse, Moldova continues to face significant challenges regarding violence against women. Although Moldova’s legal framework for gender equality meets international standards, implementation and real support remain lacking. As many as 73% of Moldovan women reported experiencing partner violence at least once since the age of 15, and only 7% of victims had access to qualified legal assistance. Moldovan society is generally based on traditional gender values, conservative views on women’s place in society remain common, and women generally earn 15% to 17% less than men. Furthermore, the country’s efforts against human trafficking continue to face problems. Moldovan law enforcement continued to provide support to only a limited number of identified victims, and the government decreased victim protection funding.
Challenges remain in Moldova’s treatment of the Roma people. In 2022, Human Rights Watch reported that Romani refugees from Ukraine faced discrimination upon arriving in Moldova, with the government deliberately housing them separately from other refugees. Continued disparities are not limited to refugees. Overall, 72% of Moldova’s Roma population lives in substandard housing. According to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), racial profiling against Roma continues within Moldovan police operations. Moldovan Border Control also continues to perpetuate practices akin to profiling against Black, Muslim, and Roma individuals at Moldovan airports. Additionally, Roma face disproportionately low access to employment; only 6.4% participate in the labor market, and most Roma rely on the informal market for employment.
Due to the continuation of racial disparities in Moldova, Genocide Watch assesses Moldova to be at Stage 1: Classification. Due to the active profiling committed by Moldovan police against the country’s Roma minority, increased scrutiny of other minorities at airports, systemic torture conducted by police against detainees, and Moldova’s lack of legal assistance for most domestic assault victims, Genocide Watch assesses that Moldova stands at Stage 3: Discrimination.
Genocide Watch Recommends:
Moldova’s General Police Inspectorate should provide training for police meant to combat bias and racial profiling behavior towards Roma individuals.
Moldova’s General Police Inspectorate should also provide additional training geared towards non-violent arrest practices. Moldova’s police should also implement body cameras.
Moldova’s National Administration for Penitentiaries within the country’s Ministry of Justice must create and implement a comprehensive plan to dissolve informal prison hierarchies.
Moldova’s Parliament should provide additional funding to Moldova’s Ministry of Interior Affairs to adequately fund Moldovan police initiatives against domestic violence and human trafficking.
Moldova’s Ministry of Education, National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), and Moldovan NGO National Coalition Life without Violence should work together to develop sexual education classes geared towards preventing domestic violence.
