Critical health conditions/ Denial of adequatemedical care

TheInternational Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation inthe Republic of Moldova.

Brief Description of the Situation

TheInternational Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source aboutthe critical health conditions of and the lack of adequate medical care for Mr. Beşleaga Vitalii and Mr. Bevziuc Serghei, two prisoners held inPrison n°3, in Tiraspol (УИН-3), in the Moldovan Republic of Transdniestria(MRT)[1].

Accordingto the information received, Mr. Bevziuc Serghei suffers of chronic paraproctitis (an inflammation around the rectum) withabscesses and Mr. Beşleaga Vitalii suffers of type 2 diabetes mellitus[2],diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy[3],diabetic angiopathy, partial complicated cataract, and hypertension. Mr. Beşleaga Vitalii’s health problems werediagnosed years ago and require regular medical attention. On 12 December 2013,a Medical Consultative Comission ofHealth Center Varnita, Anenii Noi district, examined both of them and confirmed that they need permanent medicalassistance. However, no medical treatment or care was provided.

Accordingto their relatives, theirillnesses have reportedly deteriorated due the lack of basic medical care andtreatment. The medical center located in Tiraspol prison, where both arecurrently being held, fails to meet medical standards of care. There is a lackof medicines, medical equipment and qualified personnel. Both families havereportedly sent medicines to the prison but it is not clear if Mr. BeşleagaVitalii and Bevziuc Serghei have received them.

Accordingto the same information received, Mr. Beşleaga Vitalli has been feeling veryill, has had difficulties to move and he has experienced dizziness andhypertension due to his diabetes. Nevertheless, he has not received anyappropriate diabetes care. His blood sugar levels have reportedly never beenmeasured although it is an important part of diabetes care. Likewise, due tothe lack of adequate medical assistance, Mr. Bevziuc Serghei has been sufferingfrom perirectal abscesses, with pus oozing down the legs. On 24 December 2013 aprivate doctor was allowed to visit and examine Mr. Bevziuc Serghei. Hereportedly concluded that Mr. Bevziuc Sergheineeded an urgent medical intervention.

On28 March 2014, following various requests before the competent authorities toget appropriate medical care, Mr. Beşleaga Vitalii and Bevziuc Serghei appealedto the European Court of Human Rights and requested an urgent examination oftheir request. Mr. Beşleaga Vitalii and Mr. Bevziuc Serghei invoked violationsof articles 3 (Prohibition of torture), 13 (Right to an effective remedy), and 5(Right to liberty and security) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

TheOMCT is gravely concerned about the critical health conditions of Mr. BeşleagaVitalii and Mr. Bevziuc Serghei, and recalls to the de facto Transnistrian administration its responsibility toeffectively ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all personsdeprived of liberty in accordance with regional and international human rightslaw, and in particular the European Convention on Human Rights, the Conventionagainst Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment,and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. OMCT urgesthe de facto Transnistrian administrationto immediately transfer Mr. Beşleaga Vitalii and Bevziuc Serghei to specializedinstitutions or civil hospitals where they can receive adequate medical careand treatment for their illnesses.

OMCTalso recalls the findings and recommendations entailed in the report by SeniorExpert on Human Rights in Transnistria, Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, entitled “Reporton Human Rights in the Transnistrian Region of the Republic of Moldova”published on 14 February 2013.

Actionsrequested

Pleasewrite to the de facto administration ofthe Region of Transnistria and the authorities of the Republic of Moldovaurging them to:

i. Guarantee the physicaland psychological integrity of Mr. Beşleaga Vitalii and Mr. Bevziuc Serghei;

ii. Order their immediatetransfer to specialized institutions or civil hospitals where they can accessadequate medical examination and adequate medical treatment for theirillnesses;

iii. Guarantee that they haveaccess to their families and lawyers;

iv. Ensure that adequateconditions of detention and medical services are guaranteed to all persons thathave been deprived of liberty, according notably to the UN Standard MinimumRules for the Treatment of Prisoners;

v. Guarantee the respect ofhuman rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordancewith national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

The de facto administration of the Region ofTransnistria:

· YevgenyShevchuk, President of Transnistria, MD-3300, ул. 25 Октября, 42, for on-line petitions: http://president.gospmr.ru/ru/letter Tiraspol,Republic of Moldova;

· BaranovaNadejda, Presidential Administration, MD-3300, ул. 25 Октября, 42, for on-line petitions: http://president.gospmr.ru/ru/letter Tiraspol,Republic of Moldova;

· ZemțovNicolai, Chairman of State Security, MD-3300, 42 Manoilova str., Tiraspol,Republic of Moldova; press@kgb-pmr.com; tel/fax: (373 533)80490

· KisniceanAlexandr, Ministery of Justice, MD-3300, 26 Lenina str., Tiraspol, Republicof Moldova; tel:(373 533) 8-18-18; http://justice.idknet.com/PriemObr.nsf/main!OpenForm

· Deli Alexandr,Prosecutor of Transnistria, MD-3300, Nr.3 8 Mart str., Tiraspol, Republic ofMoldova; http://www.prokuror-pmr.org/index.php/internet-priemnaya

· RimariVladimir, Chairman of the Supreme Court, MD-3300, 29. Iunosti str.,Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova; (373-533) 2-50-06, for on-line petitions:http://vspmr.org/mailform.php;

· Burla Mihail, Presiding Officers of theParliament, MD-3300, 25 Oktyabrya str.Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova, tel/fax (+373) 533 9 44 49; burla57@list.ru;

Republic of Moldova:

• Iurie Leancă, Prime Minister of Republic ofMoldova, Chisinau, PiaţaMarii Adunări Naţionale 1, for on-line petitions: http://www.gov.md/feedbacktxt.php?l=en&idc=439
• Corneliu Gurin, General Prosecutor, Republic ofMoldova, Chisinau, str. Banulescu Bodoni 26;

tel/fax.: (+37322) 212032; email: procuror@procuratura.md

• Mihai Poalelungi, President of the Supreme Court of Justice ofMoldova, Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, str. Petru Rareş 18, e-mail: info@csj.md, Fax: (+373 22) 22 52 27;

· Victor Moraru,Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova, 28 Chemin duPetit Saconnex, 1209 Geneva, Fax +4122 733-91-04, E-mail: mission.moldova@ties.itu.int

Please also write to the embassies of the Republicof Moldova in your respective country.

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Geneva, 16 May 2014 Kindly inform us of any actionundertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply

[1] The MRT is aseparatist entity that split from the Republic of Moldova in 1990 but that hasnot been recognized by the international community.

[2] Type 2 diabetes mellitus causeshigh blood glucose (sugar) levels, which can lead to a number of complicationsif untreated.

[3] Diabetic neuropathy is a typeof nerve damage that can occur with diabetes.