Newsroom
Moldovan school crisis intensifies as Transdniestrian authorities force orphans onto street
CHISINAU 27 July 2004
CHISINAU, 27 July 2004 - The crisis surrounding a number of Moldovan-language schools in the Transdniestrian region escalated further yesterday evening when local militia seized the Moldovan orphanage in Benderi.
Around 60 children and students who returned from their summer camp just hours later were refused entry to their home and had to spend the night on the pavement outside the orphanage.
"Leaving children out in the street is totally unacceptable," said Ambassador William Hill, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. He demanded the immediate re-opening of the orphanage.
This morning, the group of orphans aged between seven and 15, forced their way past Transdniestrian militia and entered two buildings of the orphanage. They are now keeping a protective vigil inside these buildings while the militia continue blocking access.
However, the OSCE Mission and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have been providing food and water to the children despite initial Transdniestrian resistance to this proposal.
The situation remains extremely tense as up to 25 Moldovan policemen and a similar number of Transdniestrian militia are facing one another on the school grounds.
The situation at schools affected last week by similar action, School No. 19 in Bender and School No. 12 in Ribnita, also remains tense. An estimated 60 teachers, parents and children maintain a protective vigil in Ribnita, after Transdniestrian militia made several attempts to close the school last Friday and again on Monday. Transdniestrian security organs have also deployed threats and intimidation against the school's director and parents.
In School No. 19 in Benderi up to 80 teachers are lodged in the school together with Moldovan police officers. Transdniestrian militia continue to watch them on the street outside the school.
"Any actions taken against the schools in Bender and Ribnita, where a large number of parents are inside, risks provoking serious clashes," Ambassador Hill warned.
Members of the OSCE Mission have been monitoring the situation at all of the schools almost around the clock since 16 July. The Mission has been in contact with local and regional authorities in efforts to try to ease the tension.
The Mission has also been active, together with representatives of the two state mediators - Ukraine and the Russian Federation - in promoting negotiations between Chisinau and Tiraspol to defuse the crisis. These talks continue, so far without results.
Around 60 children and students who returned from their summer camp just hours later were refused entry to their home and had to spend the night on the pavement outside the orphanage.
"Leaving children out in the street is totally unacceptable," said Ambassador William Hill, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. He demanded the immediate re-opening of the orphanage.
This morning, the group of orphans aged between seven and 15, forced their way past Transdniestrian militia and entered two buildings of the orphanage. They are now keeping a protective vigil inside these buildings while the militia continue blocking access.
However, the OSCE Mission and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have been providing food and water to the children despite initial Transdniestrian resistance to this proposal.
The situation remains extremely tense as up to 25 Moldovan policemen and a similar number of Transdniestrian militia are facing one another on the school grounds.
The situation at schools affected last week by similar action, School No. 19 in Bender and School No. 12 in Ribnita, also remains tense. An estimated 60 teachers, parents and children maintain a protective vigil in Ribnita, after Transdniestrian militia made several attempts to close the school last Friday and again on Monday. Transdniestrian security organs have also deployed threats and intimidation against the school's director and parents.
In School No. 19 in Benderi up to 80 teachers are lodged in the school together with Moldovan police officers. Transdniestrian militia continue to watch them on the street outside the school.
"Any actions taken against the schools in Bender and Ribnita, where a large number of parents are inside, risks provoking serious clashes," Ambassador Hill warned.
Members of the OSCE Mission have been monitoring the situation at all of the schools almost around the clock since 16 July. The Mission has been in contact with local and regional authorities in efforts to try to ease the tension.
The Mission has also been active, together with representatives of the two state mediators - Ukraine and the Russian Federation - in promoting negotiations between Chisinau and Tiraspol to defuse the crisis. These talks continue, so far without results.