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Moldova

Republic of Moldova

Civil lawUnitary parliamentary republicReviewed· 2026-08-02
Capital
Chișinău
Population
2,400,000
Languages
Romanian
Currency
MDL
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Moldova · Rights

Rights in Moldova

What the atlas records on rights in Moldova, checked against the primary sources cited below.

Rights

A 1994 constitution with EU integration written in

Reviewed· 2026-08-02

The Constitution of 1994 declares a parliamentary republic and, since the 2023 amendment, records the irreversibility of the European course. The Constitutional Court has no direct individual complaint, but the exception of unconstitutionality may be raised in any pending case.

Key rules

  • Individuals reach the court only through an exception raised in litigation, referred by the judge.
  • The 2023 amendment replaced neutrality-era wording with the European integration objective.
  • Judges of the Constitutional Court serve six-year terms appointed by three separate authorities.
  • The court's decisions are final and take effect on adoption.

Governing law

  • Constitution of the Republic of Moldova (1994)As amended in 2023.
  • Law No. 317/1994 on the Constitutional Court (1994)
  • Constitutional Jurisdiction Code (1995)

In practice

Since 2016 a party may ask the trial judge to refer directly, and a refusal to refer is itself reviewable, which made the exception a far more usable route than before.

Sources

Rights

ECHR rights with an unresolved Transnistria jurisdiction question

Reviewed· 2026-08-02

Moldova has been party to the ECHR since 1997. The Ilaşcu line of cases holds that Moldova retains positive obligations in Transnistria while Russia exercises effective control, which shapes almost every complaint arising from the left bank.

Key rules

  • Moldova owes positive obligations to secure rights in Transnistria despite lacking control.
  • The Ombudsman is the People's Advocate, with a separate advocate for children's rights.
  • The Equality Council handles discrimination complaints and issues binding findings.
  • The ECHR takes precedence over conflicting domestic law under Article 4 of the Constitution.

Governing law

  • Constitution, Title II (1994)Fundamental rights and freedoms.
  • Law No. 52/2014 on the People's Advocate (2014)
  • Law No. 121/2012 on ensuring equality (2012)

In practice

Complaints about acts of the Transnistrian authorities are still lodged against Moldova and Russia together, and documenting attempts to seek help from Chişinău is what preserves the claim.

Sources

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