The Party of the European Left (EL) resolutely condemns a ban imposed by the Moldovan Parliament on communist symbols and introduction of sanctions for their use.

The decision taken by the ruling majority in Moldova aims at unlawfully squeezing out the largest and authoritative political force in the country, the Moldovan Party of Communists (PCRM). The PCRM symbols - sickle and hammer - are an integral part of the political identity of the communists. Depriving the Moldovan opposition of its symbols will seriously limit the framework for its political activities.

We condemn the repression applied by the regime ruling in Moldova against the communists and their supporters. The radical repressive neo-fascist right-wing regime has been finally established in the Republic of Moldova. Closing down the only oppositional TV channel, prosecution of dissent and opponents of the regime, a ban on carrying out the May Day demonstration and the sanctions against participants in peace protest rallies, pursuing the policy of language and ethnic discrimination, glorification of war criminals, destruction of the communist opposition – all the above are the links of one criminal chain.
The European Left demands from the European Union leadership to stop the policy of silent support to the antidemocratic repressive regime in Moldova. We regard such developments as complicity in crimes against democracy, against basic human rights and freedoms.

The Moldovan Communists’ symbols are symbols of many EL member parties too. We express our solidarity with the Moldovan Party of Communists, with their voters and with all Moldovan people in their resistance to the criminal regime and in their fight for democracy.

We address to the international community, to all progressive political forces in Europe and worldwide to condemn the political reprisals in Moldova, and to take concrete measures for restoration of the rule of law and democracy in this country.

PARTY OF THE EUROPEAN LEFT
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
ATHENS, 14-15 JULY 2012