Promo-LEX association of Moldova says over 100,000 children, young people from left bank of Dniester participate in 'military-patriotic' activities in 2024

Over 100,000 children and young people from the left bank of Dniester participated in almost 1,000 'military-patriotic' activities in 2024. According to a report by the Promo-LEX public association, children in the districts on the left bank of the Dniester, especially orphans or those without parental care, are subjected to a systematic campaign of militarization of education and extracurricular activities.

A human rights analyst, Mihaela Serpi, claims that, in the last 30 years, the so-called Tiraspol authorities have created an extensive network of educational institutions, enforcement structure, and paramilitary organizations promoting a radical form of 'military-patriotic' education. In 2024 alone, almost 1,000 such activities were organized, involving over 100,000 children and young people.

'Military-patriotic' education specifically targets the most vulnerable groups - orphans and those without parental care, who lack independent mechanisms for defending their rights and are subjected to long periods of institutional isolation. As of January 1, 2024, the number of children at risk was 2,742, of whom 1,476 lived in boarding schools or special institutions, while 771 were under the care of individuals. These children cannot get Moldovan identity documents, which restricts their fundamental rights, such as freedom of movement, access to education and special protection.

At the same time, Tiraspol's enforcement structures, along with the Russian Operational Group of Troops, conduct periodic visits to boarding schools, organizing exhibitions of weaponry, demonstrations of weaponry and military-themed festivities. Children regularly participate in meetings with representatives of paramilitary structures, called 'lessons of courage' or 'peer-to-peer dialogue.'

According to the report, one-third of all children enrolled in the Grigori Potemkin-Tauride Republican Cadet Corps and the Suvorov Military School from Tiraspol are orphans, children without parental care, or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Once enrolled, they live in isolation, wear military uniforms daily and follow a strict program similar to a military one.

The curriculum combines general education with systematic military training - firearm shooting, combat tactics, intensive physical exercises and other activities specific to military training. Many orphan graduates are later recruited into the 'military institute' of Tiraspol.

Experts warn that these practices represent a severe violation of children's rights, a direct threat to national security and a major obstacle in the process of Moldova’s reintegration.