Manakov: “Transnitria must be recognized as a subject of international law”. Experts: “Statements have no legal weight”.
It is the statement made by Leonid Manakov, the so-called representative of Transnistria in Moscow. On September 23, 2019 he made a categorical speech at the UN Human Rights Council meeting and is not the first he made such statements in such manner.
Appointing himself the representative of the Tiraspol administration, he said that “Transnistria must be recognized as a subject of international law “.
During his speech in Geneva, Manakov accused Chisinau of violating the rights of the inhabitants of the Transnistrian region and called for the opening of an official UN office on the left bank of the Dniester, but also for the recognition of Transnistria’s independence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova states that Manakov is trying to mislead society and distort the consistent actions that Chisinau is taking to ensure human rights throughout the country, including the Transnistrian region.
“Such statements at international level can undermine the negotiation process in the format” 5 + 2 “, which has intensified its activity lately,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration comment shows.”
Manakov’s statements from the UN tribune were commented on IPAH‘s request by the former member of the Unified Control Commission, Ion Leahu, and the expert on the Transnistrian issue, currently a Member of Parliament, Oazu Nantoi.
said Ion Leahu
“From the legal point of view, from the point of view of the political consequences for the Republic of Moldova, these declarations are worthless. The whole world understands that Manakov does not represent the Republic of Moldova and is not the official person of a legitimate state. However, there are many psychological, propagandistic aspects that both Tiraspol and Moscow leaders use for their personal purposes. Now is the situation, when Moscow activates its actions on the Transnistrian-Moldovan – South European direction. And the statements made by Manakov are meant to further influence Chisinau, to remind them that if they do not comply with the demands of Moscow, such consequences could follow, “
said Oazu Nantoi
“Such appearances became possible because of to the fact that the Chisinau governments during the 29 years since the conflict, have not had a coherent and consistent policy oriented towards the dismantling of this illegal regime, which has no argument that justifies its existence. Legal consequences cannot occur, but we can see that the moldovan society is indifferent and this is the most serious problem. The project of the statehood of the Republic of Moldova without definitive resolution of the conflict through univocal, unconditional dismantling of the regime has no chances, and the society is concerned about the escape from Moldova ”,
This is not the first time Manakov has made such categorical statements internationally. Earlier, he participated in the 41st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he again brought charges against the Republic of Moldova, stating that “the authorities restrict the rights and freedoms of the inhabitants of the Transnistrian region to travel, security, personal and integrity ”. Manakov called for the cessation of these unilateral actions and called for Transnistria to receive observer status within the UN.
