REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Early day motion 1603, tabled 7 September 2004 by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 24 members.

That this House expresses its deep concern at the escalation of tension in the Republic of Moldova as a result of the human rights violations perpetrated by the self-proclaimed authorities of the Transnistrian region; notes that the Republic of Moldova is the last European country to have foreign troops on its territory against her will; recalls that threats to the United Kingdom's own security, including trafficking of small arms and unconventional weapons, trafficking of women and illegal steel exports, originate in the breakaway region of Transnistria; and calls upon the United Kingdom Government to, firstly, publicly and unequivocally condemn the appalling violations of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, infringements on the right to education, closures of schools and orphanages, secondly, to assist Russia to fulfil her long overdue commitment to withdraw troops and ammunition from Transnistria and, thirdly, to take a more active stance, within the EU, NATO and OSCE, to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict, which would ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 4, Scottish National Party 2, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.