Today Pridnestrovian foreign office saw a meeting between the members of the Council of Young Diplomats of the PMR's MFA and the UN Senior Expert on Human Rights in Pridnestrovie Thomas Hammarberg. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Nina Shtanski also participated in the meeting.
Thomas Hammarberg shared main constituent part of his activity in the sphere of protection of human rights on international level with the audience. During the event the members of the Council of Young Diplomats of the PMR's MFA had possibility to ask questions. In particular, the questions concerned the problem of violation of rights of the residents of Pridnestrovie as a result of unsettlement of Pridnestrovie-Moldova relations. The members of the Council revealed interest towards international experience in protection of human rights in conditions of conflicts.
Answering the questions of young diplomats, Thomas Hammarberg paid significant attention to the problem of creation of myths about Pridnestrovie, which promotes the formation of negative image of the State in Western world. Thomas Hammarberg noticed, that the leadership of Pridnestrovie takes the right position within the given context. “The authorities of the Republic are open for the contacts with the external world. They do not deny the existence of problems. This is how they say, that the problems must be solved; and they try to do it in spite of the complications with the resources,” the diplomat emphasized. Answering the question about the complications which he faces while implementing his professional activity, Thomas Hammarberg told that different countries often take up a defensive position towards the representatives of human rights organizations. “It is not correct, because the problem of human rights exists in all countries without exception,” the expert noticed. “Those countries which leadership reveals open approach towards the problems in this sphere, take the most effective steps for the settlement of these problems.”
Thomas Hammarberg also reported that during his visit in Pridnestrovie he did not face alarming signals and systemic problems in the sphere of interethnic or interconfessional relations, which could arouse serious anxiety. Expert also expressed a high opinion towards the ombudsman institution in Pridnestrovie. “It is a good system: in order to protect his rights a person can appeal to independent structure,” the diplomat explained.
At the end of the meeting Thomas Hammarberg noted the benefit of the events of such kind, in particular for his personal professional experience and from the point of view of information value.
