Promo-LEX launches a new video about the non-implementation of the Catan and others v Russia case.

These cases concern the violation of the right to education of 170 children or parents of children from Latin-script schools located in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. Pursuant to the “Moldavian Republic of Transdniestria” (“MRT”) “law” on languages, they suffered from the forced closure of these schools between August 2002 and July 2004, together with measures of harassment.

The European Court of Human Rights held that the Russian Federation exercised effective control over the “MRT” during the period in question and that by virtue of its continued military, economic and political support for the “MRT”, which could not otherwise survive, the Russian Federation incurred responsibility under the Convention for the violation of the applicants’ rights to education.

However, since the judgment has become final, almost 9 years ago, and despite the adoption of 3 interim resolutions and 18 decisions by the Committee of Ministers, little progress has been made. The payment of the just satisfaction is still delayed. The “MRT” laws limiting the use of Latin script in schools are still in force. 20% of the applicants have left the Republic of Moldova since the judgment has become final, and several of the 170 applicants have died. The schools are dying too, due to the ongoing harassment on pupils and teachers.

The video gives the floor to teachers, headmasters, pupils and Promo-LEX strategic development adviser Alexandru Postica, providing an insight into the problems which pupils and teachers are facing every day. Pupils are still not able to attend schools in adequate premises. Following the forced closure of schools, the school administrations had to rent buildings which were not conceived for educational purposes: many children still do not have access to sport facilities or canteens. Obstacles to the freedom of movement of children and teachers are also considerable. Pupils have to travel a long distance everyday to go to school, sometimes up to 25 km each way, and school buses are stopped at the so-called Transnistrian customs for daily passport controls. Systemic harassment to forbid the use of Latin script and of the Romanian language also concerns people beyond the applicants from the Catan case, as shown by the Iovcec and others v Russia case.

Promo-LEX calls for the schools to be allowed to re-integrate to their previous buildings. These were designed for educational purposes, and would allow for better teaching conditions both for school staff members and pupils. They call on to the Committee of Ministers to request from the Russian authorities the immediate payment of just satisfaction and the submission of an Action Plan on how they intend to implement the judgment. Promo-LEX also requests the Committee to refer the case to the European Court in line with the procedure under Article 46 § 4 of the European Convention and to consider it at every meeting until its full execution.

EIN is grateful to its member organisation Promo-Lex in this excellent video. It serves as a strong example of dynamic advocacy, which will be of great interest to other EIN members.