COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker
Keep Civic Space Healthy
This tracker monitors government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms and human rights, focusing on emergency laws. For information about our methodology, click here.
For more information and analysis by region, click here.
The COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker is a collaborative effort by the ICNL, ECNL, and our global network of partners, with generous research support from the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin. This is an ongoing effort, and we welcome you to email us at adeblock@icnl.org and simona@ecnl.org to share additional resources.
Parliamentary Decision on the Declaration of State of Emergency
The parliamentary decision declares a "state of emergency," under Article 66 of the Constitution, on account of the coronavirus. Among other things, the declaration provides for a prohibition on meetings, public demonstrations, and other mass events; coordination of mass media related to the crisis; and introduction of "special rules" for telecommunications during the crisis. (See primary source or citation here)
Introduced 17 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Assembly, Emergency, Press Freedom, Expression, Access to Information
Type: law
Parliament Decision No. 55 Declaring a State of Emergency
The parliamentary decision declares a "state of emergency" for 60 days. The state of emergency allows the Commission for Exceptional Situations of the Republic of Moldova to issue provisions relating to movement within country, the prohibition of public events and assemblies, and the coordination of media activities, among other things. (See primary source or citation here)
Introduced 17 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Emergency
Type: law
The Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Moldova Provision No. 2
During the state of emergency, all audiovisual media providers under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Moldova are required to present the official position of the competent public authorities (World Health Organization, Exceptional Situation Commission of the Republic of Moldova, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection). All presenters, moderators, and editors must not express their own opinion on topics concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure "maximum accuracy and correctness." (See primary source or citation here)
Introduced 24 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Press Freedom, Expression, Access to Information
Type: order
Decree No. 7 on the National Emergency Public Health Commission
The decree suspends religious meetings and services, conducted by all congregations, throughout the entire territory of Moldova. (See primary source or citation here)
Introduced 13 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Assembly
Type: order
Decree No. 6 of the National Emergency Public Health Commission
The decree prohibits mass demonstrations, events, and rallies of more than 50 persons. The decree also bans persons under self-isolation from leaving the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 10 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Assembly
Type: order
Stigmatization of Journalists and Restrictions on Access to Information
Government officials have stigmatized journalists and media NGOs reporting on COVID-19 as agents of foreign influence. The Audiovisual Council also forbade talk show hosts from expressing their own views on the crisis or interviewing anyone other than the officials responsible for managing the country during the state of emergency. The government also restricted the access of journalists to online press briefings, threatened doctors with criminal prosecution for speaking with the press, and raised the deadline for resolving requests for access to information from 15 to 45 days.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 3 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Press Freedom, Expression, Access to Information
Type: policy