Russian Ombudsman Appeals to UN over Media Blocking in Moldova: Stifling Freedom of Expression

Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova described the decision of the Moldovan authorities to block 31 websites, including Russian and Moldovan publications, as a blatant example of violation of the right to free speech. The Russian official said she had appealed to international organizations to influence the situation. “I Applied to the UN Human Rights Committee, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro in connection with this outrageous fact of stifling free speech and demanding to exert all possible influence in order to prevent a policy of total media censorship,” she wrote in her Telegram channel. As reported on Monday, at a briefing, SIS head Alexandru Musteata proposed to suspend the operation of 6 TV channels. We are talking about Orizont TV, iTV, Prime, Publika, Canal 2, Canal 3. He also mentioned that he had signed an order to block 31 websites, 21 of which are operated directly by the Russian Federation, which is recognized as an aggressor state. According to him, these media outlets should be blocked for spreading information in the public space that can cause tension or social conflicts. The Commission for Emergency Situations (CES) approved the SIS head’s proposal, noting that Moldova is daily subjected to hybrid attacks by the Russian Federation, which, through organized criminal groups, wants to influence the 5 November local elections and undermine the democratic process.