Constitutionality of the 2022 restrictions on freedom of expression at public meetings. Role of the ombudsman

The scientific work represents a reflection on the level of respect for fundamental human freedoms, such as freedom of assembly and expression following the actions of the national public authorities from October 2022. In September-October 2022, public anti-government meetings took place in the municipality of Chisinau. On October 13, 2022, by Decision of the Commission for Exceptional Situations no. 42, meetings for a period of more than four hours were prohibited and the removal of meeting participants was allowed, without the involvement of the organizer. On October 16, 2022, the police intervened in force and removed the participants of the protest from the center of the capital. In May 2023 there is a government meeting entitled “Moldova European National Assembly” which is allowed and supported by the authorities and the police. Although, the Republic of Moldova recognizes free expression as a fundamental form of voicing the population’s dissatisfaction with governing act, it seems that from 2022 this constitutional principle started to be affected. The government has initiated a series of processes camouflaged under the aspect of respecting national interests and public order in order to reduce manifestations inappropriate to it. The article in its extended version was addressed in a thematic report of the People’s Advocate, prepared by the author.