DOCSLIB.ORG

Orthodox Actors and Equal Opportunities Policies in the Republic of Moldova in the Context of the Transformation of Post-Soviet Societies

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Orthodox Actors and Equal Opportunities Policies in the Republic of Moldova in the Context of the Transformation of Post-Soviet Societies ANASTASIA V. MITROFANOVA Orthodox actors and equal opportunities policies in the Republic of Moldova in the context of the transformation of post-Soviet societies DOI: https://doi.org/10.30664/ar.82787 Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) his article examines how the key Orthodox Introduction1 actors in Moldova have reacted to chal- Moldovan society2 is currently in a process Tlenging equal opportunities legislation. The author suggests, on the basis of an economic of post-socialist transformation which has approach to religion, that under the conditions already become the subject of a number of of a deregulated religious market they use vari- academic studies (see, e.g., Iordache 2018; ous strategies to promote their agendas. The Ganzevoort and Sremac 2017; Bilic 2016; Moldovan Orthodox Church (the Metropolitan- ate of Moldova), autonomous within the Russian Slootmaeckers et al. 2016; Sremac and Orthodox Church, previously relied on making Ganzevoort 2015; Ayoub and Paternotte private bargains with the government; but this 2014). Pressure from the outside, known as policy ended with the adoption of the 2013 Law Europeanisation brings about a more rapid on Ensuring Equality in the Republic of Moldova. Now the Metropolitanate tries to assimilate change than would have happened ‘natur- the strategies of direct action, but without suc- ally’. The sphere of sexual morality, includ- cess. The so-called ‘non-mentioning’ radicals, ing domestic violence, gender roles, and technically being part of the Metropolitanate the destigmatization of the LGBT commu- of Moldova, but not praying for its bishop, are nity are becoming particularly important. involved in direct political activism – from set- ting up protest camps to street fighting – to Within the last two decades or less, pro- confront de-stigmatization of homosexuality. found changes in this area have affected the The Bessarabian Metropolitanate of the Roma- Western world: even in supposedly liberal nian Orthodox Church utilizes the strategies of France thousands have protested against European ‘public’ churches and gains influence through performing some useful social functions. same-sex marriages. It is no surprise that This article concludes that all actors have their post-socialist states, living in a state of own advantages and weaknesses; nevertheless, uncertainty between European integration, so far the Metropolitanate of Moldova remains a socialist past and the impact of nationalist the strongest; while the other competitors are myths, experience problems with adopting serving specific religious niches, it is this body which still possesses the potential to influence non-discriminatory policies from Europe. society more broadly. 1 This research has been supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Grant no. 18-011-00598. 2 The research does not cover the self-pro- claimed Transnistrian Republic. Approaching Religion • Vol. 9, No. 1–2 • October 2019 96 In Moldova legally securing some rights for freedom of conscience, Orthodox Chris- the LGBT community (in no way same-sex tianity as a whole has found itself in a situ- partnership) has provoked a fierce social ation of religious pluralism. While Islamic movement of counter-reaction. Joining influence in Moldova remains limited, mul- the ongoing discussion on the topic of the tiple Protestant denominations represent a LGBT community has provided Orthodox serious challenge to Orthodoxy. Besides, actors with an opportunity to reach a wider the Metropolitanate of Moldova, previ- portion of society than it has been able to ously a state-protected ‘monopoly’, has to before.3 compete with alternative ‘suppliers’. Those This article aims at uncovering how the actors, who adjust better to the changed key Orthodox actors have reacted to the market conditions and win more support, challenge of equal opportunities legislation, can be evaluated as stronger competitors. and to evaluate the strategies they use to Apart from printed and electronic mobilize supporters for their cause. The key sources, I rely on observations made dur- actors are the Moldovan Orthodox Church ing my research visits to Moldova (2011, (the Metropolitanate of Moldova) autono- 2013, 2019); and on ten semi-structured mous within the Russian Orthodox Church, interviews taken at different stages of the and the Bessarabian Metropolitanate of research. The Metropolitanate of Mol- the Romanian Orthodox Church. Other dova is represented by its secretary Fr Ortho dox groups (Old Believers, non- Vadim Cheibaş; Chair of the Synodal canon ical jurisdictions) enjoy very limited Youth Department, Fr Octavian Moșin; Fr influence and remain beyond the scope of Nikolai Florinskii and Fr Vitalii Shinkar this publication. from the parish of St George in Chișinău; The economic approach to religion and Fr Vasilie, who insisted on maintain- (Stark and Bainbridge 1987; Stark and Ian- ing his anonymity. The radicals, technic- nac cone 1994; Iannaccone 1997; Young ally being part of the Metropolitanate of 1997; Stark and Finke 2000; Chesnut Moldova, but not praying for its bishop, are 2003; for a critical survey of the theory represented by Fr Anatolie Cibric. Fr Ioan see Lehmann 2010; Kargina 2014) allows Cosoi is the secretary of the Bessarabian for conceptualizing multiple Orthodox Metropolitanate and director of its so cial actors as competing religious producers. projects. I also quote from a previously In 2011–13 the Republic of Moldova made unpublished 2011 interview with a Mol- a transition from being a regulated reli- dovan lay theologian Nicolae Fuştei, and gious market, where the Metropolitanate of with Ian Feldman, president (from 2015) Moldova, according to the UN Special Rap- of the Council for the Prevention and porteur, enjoyed informal privileged treat- Elimination of Discrimination and Ensur- ment (United Nations 2012: 9–10), to more ing Equality. Interviews and observations or less free religious competition. Due to the are crucial for this research, because reli- legalisation of Islam in 2011 and amend- gious life in Moldova is scantily docu- ments made in 2012 to the legislation on mented; therefore, this publication pursues the additional end of collecting descriptive data. 3 They struggle against abortion too, but it was legalized may decades ago in the USSR, In 2010 the European Union made and the topic is meaningful only for prac- effective protection from all forms of dis­­ ticing believers. crimination – including on the basis of Approaching Religion • Vol. 9, No. 1–2 • October 2019 97 sexual orientation – the condition for but they are symbolically significant, as lifting the visa obligation for citizens they are in all post-socialist countries; these of Moldova. The new Law on Ensuring processions, heavily guarded by the police, Equality was officially adopted by its par- have already attracted academic attention liament in May 2012. The first draft of this in the field of what might be called ‘Pride document underwent revisions; the final studies’ (see, e.g., Drissel 2016; Igrutinović version having been modified to satisfy the et al. 2015). demands of the Church. Oleg Efrim, erst- while Minister of Justice, told me that ‘we The Metropolitanate of Moldova: have taken into consideration all the wishes hold the balance until you fall of the Church except the one that this law The position of the Metropolitanate of should not exist’ (Efrim 2013). Sexual Moldova with regard to non-discrimin- orien tation-based discrimination was now ation policies seems uncompromising. prohibited only in the sphere of employ- In summer 2013 Metropolitan Vladimir ment – meaning, verbal condemnations of (Cantarean) promised to excommuni- homosexuality could not be legally pun- cate politicians who had voted for the ished; an amendment was made allowing Law on Ensuring Equality a month ear- religious organizations to employ (or not lier. In September 2014 the Synod issued employ) whoever they wanted. Article one a ‘Condemnation of gay parades and of of the Law on Ensuring Equality indicates the consequences of adopting the Law that the provisions of the law are not related on Ensuring Equal Opportunities’, which to and cannot be interpreted as causing explicitly accused the government of col- damage to (1) family, based on marriage laborating with those who promoted sinful between a man and a woman, (2) adoption, behaviour, thus ‘targeting the founda- and (3) ‘religious cults and their compon- tion of the most holy values of our people’ ents in the part related to religious beliefs’ (Biserica Ortodoxă din Moldova 2014).4 (Lex.justice.md 2012). Nevertheless, the No politician, nevertheless, has ever been law is still seen by the Moldovan Church excommunicated. The Church protested as unsatisfactory, since it forbids offending by organising – to counterveil the Pride individuals on the basis of their homosexu- demonstration – its own rallies. Headed by ality and obliges all non-religious employ- Metropolitan Vladimir personally, a ‘silent ers (schools, businesses, etc.) not to dis- march’ has been held annually since 2013 as criminate against homosexuals. a procession of priests, monastics and fami- The Council for the Prevention and lies (often with children), as well as of single Elimin ation of Discrimination and Ensur- laypeople singing Orthodox hymns and ing Equality was established in 2013 to holding pro-family posters, such as images respond to complaints issued by private of the Romanov Holy Royal Family.5 The citizens. Ian Feldman stresses that their
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Country Report for Moldova
    Annual activities report National Platform of Moldova December 2018-November 2019 Key topics on which the NP focused and results achieved Under each topic please specify: key events (with approximate number of people who attended), advocacy, research, trainings, statements/press releases, dialogue/consultations with government/EU Delegation/EU institutions, participation in the EaP platforms and panels, etc.). Please indicate important stakeholders in your country, who participated in the activities of the NP and Forum. a. Conclusions after 10 years of Eastern Partnership and future plans - The conference "10 years of Eastern Partnership - Stronger Together” (April 24, 2019) organized by the Embassy of Romania in Moldova, the EU to Moldova and the National Platform. Around 100 participants from Government officials, representatives from all EU states diplomatic missions accredited to Chisinau, Moldovan SCOs, media, and NP members. Statements at the conference reviewed the achievements of Moldova within the EaP. https://chisinau.mae.ro/local-news/1756; http://m.tvrmoldova.md/actualitate/live- conferinta-parteneriatul-estic-la-10-ani-impreuna-mai-puternici/ - A training for 35 young people from Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine that simulated a Ministerial Meeting of the Eastern Partnership as a part of the "10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership: Results and Perspectives" School. Among the speakers and trainers there were the Head of the European Union Delegation in Chisinau Peter Michalko, the Ambassador of Romania to Moldova Daniel Ionita, the Ambassador of Sweden to Chisinau Anna Lyberg, the Polish Ambassador to Moldova Bartłomiej Zdaniuk, the German Ambassador to Chisinau Angela Ganninger, the Ambassador of France to Moldova Pascal Le Deunff, the Georgian Ambassador to Moldova Merab Antadze, and the First Secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy in Chisinau Evgen Tkachuk.
    [Show full text]
  • Commencement Program
    2010 commencement o f St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary 0 SATURDAY MAY 22, 2010 2 : 0 0 P M St Vladimir’s Seminary 575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY saturday, may 22, 2010 Commencement Exercises Moleben Processional Opening Prayer: “Troparion for the Three Hierarchs” Opening of the Commencement Exercises His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, President of the Board of Trustees Welcoming Remarks The Very Rev. Dr John Behr, Dean Conferral of Honorary Degrees Commencement Address Mr Albert P. Foundos: “Where My Treasure Is” Conferral of Degrees to the Class of 2010 The Saint Basil the Great Award for Academic Achievement Fr Andrew Cuneo, Christopher Evan McGarvey, Fr Theophan Whitfield Valedictory Address Fr Andrew Cuneo Introduction into the Alumni Association The Very Rev. David Barr, Association President Salutatory Address Michael Soroka Concluding Remarks The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, Chancellor Closing of the Commencement Exercises His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, President of the Board of Trustees Closing prayer: “It is truly meet” Recessional Commencement Reception on the Lawn Class of 2010 Candidates for the Master of Divinity degree Sdn Justin Ajamian Fr Ephraim Alkhas Fr John Ballard (cum laude) Fr Peter Carmichael “The Meek Shall Inherit the Land” (Psalm 37:11): A Theological Essay on Morality and Land Tenure Economics Fr Benedict Churchill (cum laude) Fr Andrew Cuneo (Valedictorian, summa cum laude) A Commentary on the Rites of the Divine Liturgy by Nicholas Cabasilas: The “Lesser Commentary” Justin Dumoulin Christopher Eid The Antiochian-Syriac Pastoral Agreement of 1991 Fr Simeon B. Johnson Slavophiles and Their Legacy: A Nineteenth Century Movement and Its Continued Impact Fr Sean A.
    [Show full text]
  • European Influences in Moldova Page 2
    Master Thesis Human Geography Name : Marieke van Seeters Specialization : Europe; Borders, Governance and Identities University : Radboud University, Nijmegen Supervisor : Dr. M.M.E.M. Rutten Date : March 2010, Nijmegen Marieke van Seeters European influences in Moldova Page 2 Summary The past decades the European continent faced several major changes. Geographical changes but also political, economical and social-cultural shifts. One of the most debated topics is the European Union and its impact on and outside the continent. This thesis is about the external influence of the EU, on one of the countries which borders the EU directly; Moldova. Before its independency from the Soviet Union in 1991, it never existed as a sovereign state. Moldova was one of the countries which were carved out of history by the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact in 1940 as it became a Soviet State. The Soviet ideology was based on the creation of a separate Moldovan republic formed by an artificial Moldovan nation. Although the territory of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic was a former part of the Romanian province Bessarabia, the Soviets emphasized the unique and distinct culture of the Moldovans. To underline this uniqueness they changed the Moldovan writing from Latin to Cyrillic to make Moldovans more distinct from Romanians. When Moldova became independent in 1991, the country struggled with questions about its national identity, including its continued existence as a separate nation. In the 1990s some Moldovan politicians focussed on the option of reintegration in a Greater Romania. However this did not work out as expected, or at least hoped for, because the many years under Soviet rule and delinkage from Romania had changed Moldovan society deeply.
    [Show full text]
  • Call from Members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre to the United Nations Security Council to Support the UN Secretary
    Call from Members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre to the United Nations Security Council to Support the UN Secretary-General’s Urgent Call for an Immediate Global Ceasefire amid the COVID-19 Pandemic We are deeply alarmed that the United Nations Security Council has not been able to reach agreement on a draft resolution put before it on COVID-19. This draft resolution called for an end to hostilities worldwide so that there could be a full focus on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. If passed it would have given powerful backing to the call made earlier by the Secretary-General. Yet, agreement could not be reached on the resolution in the Security Council because of its reference to “the urgent need to support…. all relevant entities of the United Nations system, including specialized health agencies” in the fight against the pandemic. The failure to reach agreement saddens us at this time when our world is in crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about immense human suffering and is having a devastating impact on economies and societies. It is exactly at times like this that the leadership of the Security Council is needed. It should not be silent in the face of the serious threat to global peace and security which Covid-19 represents. Global action and partnership are vital now to deal with the global pandemic and its aftermath. This is the time for the premier institution responsible for leading on global security to show strength, not weakness. We support UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his call for an immediate global ceasefire, in all corners of the world, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
    [Show full text]
  • Vladimir Voronin, President of Moldova (2001-2009) Anna Sous, RFE/RL Date of Interview: May 2015
    Vladimir Voronin, president of Moldova (2001-2009) Anna Sous, RFE/RL Date of interview: May 2015 ************************ (This interview was conducted in Russian.) Anna Sous: You're not only a former president, but also a working politician, an opposition politician. You've been the leader of the Communist Party of Moldova for more than 20 years. Even at 74 years old, you're very active. How long is your typical workday? Vladimir Voronin: As long as necessary. Longer than people who have a standard working day. From 16 to 18 hours is normal. Anna Sous: Vladimir Nikolayevich, the Communist Party of Moldova is the only Communist party among the countries of the former Soviet Union that has managed to become the ruling party. How do you think Moldova's Communists differ from those in Russia? Vladimir Voronin: In ideological terms, our action plan isn't really any different. We don't differ from them in terms of being Communists, but in terms of the conditions we act in and work in -- the conditions in which we fight. Anna Sous: You were Moldova's minister of internal affairs. In 1989, when the ministry's building was set on fire during unrest in Chisinau, you didn't give the order to shoot. Later you said you wouldn't have given the command to shoot even if the ministry building had burned to the ground . Maybe this is how Moldova's Communists differ from those in Russia? Vladimir Voronin: Of course, the choices we had, and the situation we were in, were such that if I had given the order to shoot, it would have been recognized as constitutional and lawful.
    [Show full text]
  • LETTER to G20, IMF, WORLD BANK, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS and NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS
    LETTER TO G20, IMF, WORLD BANK, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS and NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS We write to call for urgent action to address the global education emergency triggered by Covid-19. With over 1 billion children still out of school because of the lockdown, there is now a real and present danger that the public health crisis will create a COVID generation who lose out on schooling and whose opportunities are permanently damaged. While the more fortunate have had access to alternatives, the world’s poorest children have been locked out of learning, denied internet access, and with the loss of free school meals - once a lifeline for 300 million boys and girls – hunger has grown. An immediate concern, as we bring the lockdown to an end, is the fate of an estimated 30 million children who according to UNESCO may never return to school. For these, the world’s least advantaged children, education is often the only escape from poverty - a route that is in danger of closing. Many of these children are adolescent girls for whom being in school is the best defence against forced marriage and the best hope for a life of expanded opportunity. Many more are young children who risk being forced into exploitative and dangerous labour. And because education is linked to progress in virtually every area of human development – from child survival to maternal health, gender equality, job creation and inclusive economic growth – the education emergency will undermine the prospects for achieving all our 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and potentially set back progress on gender equity by years.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Activities Report of the Moldovan National Platform (National Facilitator) Ion Manole
    Annual activities report of the Moldovan National Platform (National Facilitator) Ion Manole June 2019 – July 2020 1. List the key topics/issues on which the NP focused in this period (up to 8) and results achieved Under each topic please specify: key events (with approximate number of people who attended), advocacy, research, trainings, statements/press releases, dialogue/consultations with government/EU Delegation/EU institutions, participation in the EaP platforms and panels, etc.). Please indicate important stakeholders in your country, who participated in the activities of the NP and Forum. a) Conclusions after 10 years of Eastern Partnership and future plans The conference "10 years of Eastern Partnership - Stronger Together” (April 24, 2019) organized by the Embassy of Romania in Moldova, the EU to Moldova and the National Platform of the EaP CSF. Around 100 participants from Government officials, representatives from all EU states diplomatic missions accredited to Chisinau, Moldovan SCOs, media, and NP members. Statements at the conference reviewed the achievements of Moldova within the EaP. (https://chisinau.mae.ro/local-news/1756 http://m.tvrmoldova.md/actualitate/live-conferinta-parteneriatul- estic-la-10-ani-impreuna-mai-puternici/) A training for 35 young people from Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine that simulated a Ministerial Meeting of the Eastern Partnership as a part of the "10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership: Results and Perspectives" School. Among the speakers and trainers there were the Head of the European Union Delegation in Chisinau Peter Michalko, the Ambassador of Romania to Moldova Daniel Ionita, the Ambassador of Sweden to Chisinau Anna Lyberg, the Polish Ambassador to Moldova Bartłomiej Zdaniuk, the German Ambassador to Chisinau Angela Ganninger, the Ambassador of France to Moldova Pascal Le Deunff, the Georgian Ambassador to Moldova Merab Antadze, and the First Secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy in Chisinau Evgen Tkachuk.
    [Show full text]
  • Moldova's National Minorities: Why Are They Euroskeptical?
    Moldova’s National Minorities: Why are they Euroskeptical? Marcin Kosienkowski William Schreiber November 2014 Russia/NIS Center Ifri is a research center and a forum for debate on major international political and economic issues. Headed by Thierry de Montbrial since its founding in 1979, Ifri is a non-governmental and a non-profit organization. As an independent think tank, Ifri sets its own research agenda, publishing its findings regularly for a global audience. With offices in Paris and Brussels, Ifri stands out as one of the rare French think tanks to have positioned itself at the very heart of European debate. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Ifri brings together political and economic decision-makers, researchers and internationally renowned experts to animate its debates and research activities. The opinions expressed in this article are the authors’ alone and do not reflect the official views of their institutions. Russia/NIS Center © All rights reserved – Ifri – Paris, 2014 ISBN: 978-2-36567-330-3 IFRI IFRI-Bruxelles 27 RUE DE LA PROCESSION RUE MARIE-THERESE, 21 75740 PARIS CEDEX 15 – FRANCE 1000 BRUXELLES, BELGIQUE TEL. : 33 (0)1 40 61 60 00 TEL. : 32(2) 238 51 10 FAX : 33 (0)1 40 61 60 60 FAX : 32 (2) 238 51 15 E-MAIL : [email protected] E-MAIL : [email protected] WEBSITE : www.ifri.org Russie.Nei.Visions Russie.Nei.Visions is an online collection of articles dedicated to the study of Russia and other former Soviet states (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan). Written by leading experts, these policy-oriented papers deal with strategic, political and economic issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy
    Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy Steven Woehrel Specialist in European Affairs April 23, 2014 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS21981 Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy Summary Although a small country, Moldova has been of interest to U.S. policy makers due to its position between NATO and EU member Romania and strategic Ukraine. In addition, some experts have expressed concern about Russian efforts to extend its hegemony over Moldova through various methods, including a troop presence, manipulation of Moldova’s relationship with its breakaway Transnistria region, and energy supplies and other economic links. Moldova’s political and economic weakness has made it a source of organized criminal activity of concern to U.S. policy makers, including trafficking in persons. U.S. and Moldovan experts have expressed concern about whether Russian President Putin’s annexation of Crimea and attempted destabilization of eastern Ukraine presages a similar effort toward Moldova, including Russian recognition of the independence of Transnistria. After July 2009 parliamentary elections, a group of opposition parties to the then-ruling Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) formed a governing coalition that pledged to carry out reforms with the goal of closer integration with the European Union. There are few ideological differences among the governing parties, which are mainly vehicles for key political leaders and politically connected big businessmen. New parliamentary elections are expected to be held in November 2014. Moldova is Europe’s poorest country, according to the World Bank. Moldova’s GDP grew by a rapid 8.9% in 2013, spurred by strong consumer spending and a good agricultural harvest, rebounding from a drought the previous year.
    [Show full text]
  • THIRD SECTION CASE of URECHEAN and PAVLICENCO V
    THIRD SECTION CASE OF URECHEAN AND PAVLICENCO v. THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA (Applications nos. 27756/05 and 41219/07) JUDGMENT STRASBOURG 2 December 2014 This judgment will become final in the circumstances set out in Article 44 § 2 of the Convention. It may be subject to editorial revision. URECHEAN AND PAVLICENCO v. THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA JUDGMENT 1 In the case of Urechean and Pavlicenco v. the Republic of Moldova, The European Court of Human Rights (Third Section), sitting as a Chamber composed of: Josep Casadevall, President, Luis López Guerra, Ján Šikuta, Dragoljub Popović, Kristina Pardalos, Valeriu Griţco, Iulia Antoanella Motoc, judges, and Stephen Phillips, Section Registrar, Having deliberated in private on 4 November 2014, Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date: PROCEDURE 1. The case originated in two applications (nos. 27756/05 and 41219/07) against the Republic of Moldova lodged with the Court under Article 34 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“the Convention”) by two Moldovan nationals, Mr Serafim Urechean (“the first applicant”) and Mrs Vitalia Pavlicenco (“the second applicant”), on 26 July 2005 and 10 September 2007 respectively. 2. The applicants were represented by Mr D. Graur and Mr V. Gribincea, lawyers practising in Chișinău. The Moldovan Government (“the Government”) were represented by their Agent, Mr V. Grosu. 3. The applicants alleged, in particular, that their right of access to a court had been breached on account of the fact that they could not bring libel actions against the then president of the country by virtue of the immunity enjoyed by him.
    [Show full text]
  • A/HRC/19/60/Add.2 General Assembly
    United Nations A/HRC/19/60/Add.2 General Assembly Distr.: General 27 January 2012 Original: English Human Rights Council Nineteenth session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt Addendum Mission to the Republic of Moldova* Summary The present report contains the findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on his mission to the Republic of Moldova, from 1 to 8 September 2011. In the report, the Special Rapporteur gives an overview of the international human rights standards, the domestic legal framework on freedom of religion or belief and the religious demography in the Republic of Moldova. Subsequently, he addresses issues of concern for his mandate relating to the general situation of freedom of religion or belief in the country, including the privileged status of the Moldovan Orthodox Church; manifestations of intolerance; freedom of religion or belief in public school education and conscientious objection to military service. In his conclusions and recommendations, the Special Rapporteur expresses his appreciation for the fact that the Moldovan society has been, and continues to be, in a process of rapid transformation, which includes, inter alia, the development of a sustainable human rights culture in the country. The implementation of human rights standards ranks high on the Government’s agenda, and significant progress has been made. This includes freedom of religion or belief, a human right by and large respected in the Republic of Moldova.
    [Show full text]
  • Archimandrite Amvrosii Papers
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt2j49r4z1 No online items Register to the Archimandrite Amvrosii papers Finding aid prepared by Vladimir von Tsurikov Hoover Institution Archives 434 Galvez Mall Stanford University Stanford, CA, 94305-6010 (650) 723-3563 [email protected] © 2008, 2014 Register to the Archimandrite 2008C45 1 Amvrosii papers Title: Archimandrite Amvrosii papers Date (inclusive): 1920-1977 Collection Number: 2008C45 Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Archives Language of Material: Russian Physical Description: 6 microfilm reels(0.9 linear feet) Abstract: Correspondence, speeches and writings, and photographs, relating to the Russian Orthodox Church and to Russian émigré affairs. Physical location: Hoover Institution Archives, Stanford University Creator: Amvrosii, Archimandrite (Konovalov), 1890-1971. Access The collection is open for research Publication Rights For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives Preferred Citation [Identification of item], Archimandrite Amvrosii (Konovalov) Papers, [Box no.], Hoover Institution Archives. Acquisition Information Acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 2008 Alternative Forms of Material Available A portion of the collection is available on Microfilm Location of Original Materials Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, Jordanville, New York 1890 Born Victor Andreevich Konovalov, St. Petersburg, Russia 1920 Evacuated to Constantinople 1963 Author, Istina i apostasiia 1971 Died, Jordanville, NY Scope and Content of Collection This collection contains the papers of Viktor Andreevich Konovalov, a self-proclaimed missionary of Canada in emigration, and later a Russian Orthodox monk and abbot of the Pokrov Skete in Bluffton, Alberta, Canada. Konovalov's rich Correspondence includes letters to and from prominent hierarchs of the Russian diaspora, located throughout the world, and provides a significant source for information on Russian Orthodoxy in North America in the Interwar years as well as in the immediate aftermath of World War II.
    [Show full text]