SHOR Party Appeals to European Court of Human Rights for Interim Measures Against Moldovan Government

On May 17th, 2024, the SHOR Party of Moldova, along with its representatives, filed an application under Article 39 to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The application seeks interim measures to suspend the effects of the ban imposed on June 19th, 2023, by the Republic of Moldova on the SHOR Party, one of the two opposition parties represented in the Moldovan Parliament.

The application asserts that the ban on the SHOR Party violates Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association.

This is the second application the SHOR Party has submitted to the ECHR.

The first, a substantive application under Article 34 of the Convention, was filed on September 16th, 2023. In March 2024, the Court announced its decision to hear arguments in this case, acknowledging it as a “case with impact.”

Notably, most applications to the ECHR are dismissed without a merits examination. In 2020, 95% of cases were declared inadmissible or struck out, with only 2,000 cases reaching the level of a court review.

The latest challenge arises in response to the Moldovan Government’s announcement that presidential elections will take place on October 20th, 2024.

To participate, the SHOR Party needs to register a candidate by early July 2024.

Given that a final determination by the Court will not be made before the elections, interim measures are urgently sought to suspend the ban, ensuring the SHOR Party and its members can freely participate in the elections and protecting voters’ rights to free elections in Moldova.

The ban on the SHOR Party is part of a broader effort by Moldovan authorities to silence the party.

During the local elections on November 5th, 2023, the SHOR Party was barred from participation, with over one hundred of its affiliates disqualified from standing. Additionally, candidates from the Chance Party were excluded from these elections.

“These actions are part of a concerted effort by Moldovan authorities to eliminate the SHOR Party as a democratic opposition, preventing candidates from two significant opposition parties from participating.

“The contemporary political scene in Moldova is no longer representative nor truly legitimate,” stated Pavel Verejanu, one of the applicants.

Despite a ruling by the Constitutional Court of Moldova declaring the new disqualification legislation unconstitutional, the Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament has threatened to enact further legislation to exclude the SHOR Party from elections.

Public support for the SHOR Party continues to grow amid increasing dissatisfaction with the current ruling party.

Trust in President Sandu has fallen from 41.0% in 2020 to 26.2% in 2023, trust in parliament from 25.4% to 14.2%, and trust in the government from 15.4% to 7.5%.

Additionally, 56% of those surveyed believe Moldova is heading “towards a situation of abuse, censorship, and lawlessness.”

“Unless the Government’s actions suppressing basic democratic institutions are halted, a significant proportion of Moldovan voters will be deprived of their right to vote for a candidate representing their preferred political option.

“We are filing this challenge to protect the rights of those voters and to safeguard the country’s governance and future,” concluded Pavel Verejanu.

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