Editing Politics of Moldova (section)

=== Other issues ===
There is disagreement as to whether elections and politics in Moldova are carried out in a free and democratic climate on the part of certain organizations. The [[United States Senate]] has held committee hearings on irregularities that marred elections in Moldova, including arrests and harassment of opposition candidates, intimidation and suppression of independent media, and state-run media bias in favor of candidates backed by the Communist-led Moldovan Government.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120716141758/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&sid=cp108hl6f5&refer=&r_n=sr106.108&db_id=108&item=&sel=TOC_86508& U.S. Library of Congress, Senate report 2004]</ref> Other critics have also referred to the Communist Party government as being authoritarian.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ifex.org/alerts/layout/set/print/layout/set/print/content/view/full/58518/ |title=Statement of Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) |access-date=15 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119000442/http://www.ifex.org/alerts/layout/set/print/layout/set/print/content/view/full/58518/ |archive-date=19 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cpj.org/attacks02/europe02/moldova.html Press freedom report (CPJ)]</ref> Nevertheless, then-U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] stated that: "We note and welcome Moldova's positive record since independence in conducting free and fair elections and in implementing democratic reforms."<ref>[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021217-1.html Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir Voronin on U.S.-Moldovan Relations] U.S. State Department 17 December 2002.</ref>

There were also reports of politically motivated arrests and arrests without valid legal grounds in 2005. Such arrests were allegedly carried out against opponents of the Communist Party government of President [[Vladimir Voronin]]. In one case which was criticized by various Western organizations and individuals, opposition politician Valeriu Pasat was sentenced to ten years imprisonment on dubious grounds.<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/07/e65539ab-4280-4495-8965-d9d02d45c481.html Moldova: An Insider Looks At The Pasat Case] Radio Free Europe. 4 July 2005.</ref>

Moldova joined the [[World Trade Organization]] and the Southeast European Stability Pact in 2001. Of primary importance have been the [[Government of Moldova|Moldovan Government]]'s efforts to improve relations with the [[International Monetary Fund]] and the [[World Bank]] and to comply with agreements negotiated in 2000 by the former government. Agreement in these areas was critical, because large government debts that were due in 2002 had to be rescheduled. The government has made concerted efforts to find ways to pay for Moldova's energy supplies.

Political parties and other groups publish newspapers, which often criticize government policies. There are several independent news services, radio stations, and an independent television station. Peaceful assembly is allowed, though permits for demonstrations must be obtained; private organizations, including political parties, are required to register with the government. Legislation passed in 1992 codified freedom of religion but required that religious groups be recognized by the government.

A 1990 Soviet law and a 1991 Parliamentary decision authorizing formation of social organizations provide for independent trade unions. However, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Moldova, successor to the former organizations of the Soviet trade union system, is the sole structure. It has tried to influence government policy in labour issues and has been critical of many economic policies. Moldovan labour law, which is based on former Soviet legislation, provides for collective bargaining rights.
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