MPs stand silent for one minute in memory of victim of tragedy in central Moldova village, femicide victims

MPs today stood silent for one minute in memory of the victims of the Magdacesti tragedy and the women who lost their lives as a result of domestic violence. The proposal was made by MP Marcela Adam, who emphasized the need for more effective action to prevent and combat violence against women.

Marcela Adam said that the society was deeply affected by the Magdacesti tragedy, which highlights the seriousness of violence against women and the consequences of institutions’ failure to prevent such acts.

“Today, we are not talking only about a tragedy. We are talking about a woman’s life that could have been saved. And beyond the regret and pain that we all feel, we must ask ourselves: what did not work and what must we change, in order to prevent such tragedies from happening again?” the MP said.

The parliamentarian noted that, in recent years, Moldova had ratified conventions and adopted more legislative packages in the field of preventing and combating violence. According to her, more than 4,000 victims have received assistance, while the femicide rate has fallen considerably.

“And yet, as long as we continue to have such cases, it means that we have not done enough,” Marcela Adam said.

In the context, the lawmaker announced that the Women MPs’ Platform would organize public hearings dedicated to preventing and combating violence against women and femicide. Representatives of the responsible institutions, the justice and public order systems, social services, civil society organizations, as well as specialists working with victims of violence are expected to be invited to the hearings.

“We must clearly see where the system worked, where it failed and what needs to be changed, so that a woman who asks for help can be protected in time,” the MP emphasized.

Marcela Adam said that the authorities must do everything necessary to ensure that women seeking help from the state are protected and remain alive.

“We cannot accept that after every tragedy we say only: ‘It is regrettable.’ We must do everything in our power to ensure that the next woman who asks the state for help remains alive,” the parliamentarian said.

The tragedy in Magdacesti occurred on August 31. A 47-year-old man shot and killed his 42-year-old wife, after which he allegedly committed suicide. The woman was under protection, while the aggressor was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet. The device was not found on him at the scene of the tragedy.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan announced today five urgent measures that the authorities will implement following the tragic case in Magdacesti, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They include placing monitored aggressors on a border watchlist, granting the General Police Inspectorate access to the electronic monitoring platform, increasing penalties for violating protection measures, expanding the number of electronic bracelets and improving the mechanism for informing and supporting victims.