During the working session, chaired by State Secretary Felicia Bechtoldt, the Council's Organizational and Operational Regulation was presented, along with the achievements and challenges in implementing the National Referral Mechanism for the protection and assistance of crime victims (NRMV) during 2023. Priorities for the coming year were also set.
The program for creating and developing the NRMV aims to regulate the necessary measures to ensure the respect of the rights of crime victims, a goal emphasized by State Secretary Felicia Bechtoldt.
"The program ensures, at the national level, the fulfillment of the Republic of Moldova's international commitments regarding the promotion of human rights and dignity, and facilitates crime victims' access to state services and assistance," said the State Secretary.
The Republic of Moldova's accession to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence involves the gradual expansion of the categories of victims eligible for social assistance, as well as the diversification of the services provided by the state.
Thus, the Program includes a series of measures planned for 2022-2026, addressing existing issues in the realization of the rights of all crime victims, with a focus on expanding the scope of the National Referral System model for the protection and assistance of victims and potential victims of human trafficking.
The newly created Council under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will ensure the effective coordination of the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies regarding the rehabilitation of crime victims by facilitating the exchange of information and opinions between responsible institutions and promoting mutual consultations.
The Council consists of representatives from the Agency for the Management of Highly Specialized Social Services, central public authorities under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Justice, the National Institute of Justice, the National Council for State Guaranteed Legal Aid, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, civil society, and academia.
Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection
