Building Unity: How Moldova is countering hate speech and addressing social divides

^{OHCHR?| School activities.}

September 2024

"I want peace in the world, and I believe in myself and my strength. The worst thing is when you live a life, you have a family, a good and stable job, you develop, you own a home, you have a child, who has friends, a mother and a father and then life suddenly changes. We have moved to another country, where everything was strange to us - it was a bit scary. I remember vividly the first day I arrived. I was looking at my suitcase in the corner with a few things in it (because I have left only for three days), but everything I held dear stayed at home. I couldn't help myself from crying, because everything stayed in Ukraine,” said Victoria Karlinska.?

Victoria Karlinska, fled Vinnytsia, Ukraine in February 2022 and now lives in Chisinau, Moldova, with her 10-year-old daughter. Forced to leave behind her house, and family, she is among the 120,000 Ukrainian refugees who have sought safety in Moldova since the war began.??

The outbreak of the war in Ukraine aggravated existing political, linguistic and ethnic divisions in Moldova, already exacerbated by tense geopolitical environment and differing historic narratives. Despite an overwhelmingly positive initial response to the refugee influx from Ukraine, the differing views within Moldova on the origins of the war in Ukraine and on Moldova's future has also contributed to a rise in hate speech, including some directed against these refugees. As concluded in an analysis done by IOM, ‘fear is evidently driving angry and violent online responses that position Ukrainian refugees as complicit in destabilization efforts and increasing inequality.’?

Victoria faced immediate challenges upon arriving in Moldova. With no connections and limited resources, she found work as a fitness instructor, but the income was insufficient. Her situation improved when she discovered a job posting for a preschool teacher at the Federation of Families for Unification and Peace in the World, a public association, which was launching a development centre for children and parents from Ukraine. Victoria applied and was accepted.??

^{UNDP?|?Victoria Karlinska.?}

This opportunity is part of a broader initiative funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) titled "Building sustainable and inclusive peace, strengthening trust and social cohesion in Moldova," and implemented by 缅北禁地Human Rights, UNDP and 缅北禁地Women. With a budget of $2.5 million, the project is focusing on supporting marginalized communities affected by conflict, including refugees, by promoting their rights and access to services in the country, while also working with a series of partners to counter hate speech and divisive narratives.???

With UNDP’s support, the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification from Moldova has organized seminars, training sessions and dialogue exercises for refugees and host communities, facilitating the integration of 73 refugees into Moldovan society so far. Under the project, eight deep listening exercises have been conducted for refugees from Ukraine settled in several regions of Moldova, including Tiraspol, Chisinau, Bender, Anenii Noi and Balti. These exercises provide a structured platform where refugees and host community members can openly share their experiences and perspectives, fostering mutual understanding.

Silvia Colupaev, a member from the host community said "we see them as part of our extended family and do our best to support them."

In the aftermath of the project support, survey data showed that 78% of host community members have shown empathy and willingness to support refugees, while 85% of refugees reported positive interactions with local residents who provided support and assistance.?

For Victoria, the deep listening exercises were particularly valuable. "I’ve been working at the centre since it was opened, and I have attended all the seminars that have been organized. During these meetings I made new friends. In the beginning, there was a kind of a wall between us, as if we were afraid of each other, but after half a year we started to open up, to talk, to say where we came from, etc. Thanks to the support of the staff in the centre we felt better emotionally."

Now Victoria teaches Ukrainian language and literature to children aged five to thirteen, finding satisfaction in work that also provides financial stability for herself and her daughter, while feeling more secure in Moldova.?

In addition to supporting refugees and fighting stigma against them, the project also demonstrates a broader commitment to countering hate speech in Moldova.? With the support of 缅北禁地Human Rights, the Prosecutor General's Office of Moldova is developing a comprehensive methodological guide for law enforcement institutions to tackle hate crimes. This guide aims to address the complex legal, social, and psychological aspects of hate crimes and hate speech, ensuring that law enforcement and the judiciary are equipped with the necessary expertise to handle these sensitive cases effectively.??

^{OHCHR?|?Hate speech guide.?}

"We want this tool to be not only comprehensive and practical but also tailored to the specific needs of those who enforce the law in Moldova," said Gheorghe Bor?, interim chief prosecutor of the Management and Project Policies Section within the Prosecutor General's Office.?

The Guide, expected to be finalized and endorsed by institutions by the end of 2024, will serve as a roadmap offering detailed guidance for each stage of the legal process, ensuring that evidence is gathered meticulously and that cases are built on solid grounds, holding perpetrators accountable in line with human rights standards. This step is crucial in Moldova’s journey toward a more inclusive and tolerant society.???

^{OHCHR, Vincent Tremau |?PBF Project coordinator and representatives of the General Prosecution Office meet to discuss the final stages of the drafting of the Guide for Investigating and Prosecuting Hate Crimes.}

Recognizing the need for a multi-faceted approach, the project has also prioritized work with youth, civil society, media and educational institutions.? In June, at a youth camp organized by 缅北禁地Human Rights, a group of young artists and students from both banks of the Nistru/Dniester River, along with their professors, engaged in a transformative experience. This camp enabled them to better understand the nature of discrimination and hate speech and to channel their reflections through artwork, with the aim of also inspiring others to reflect on these issues.??

"We may have different experiences, but we share the same goals. We want to develop our society through art, address relevant topics, and live in peace," said Natalia, an art student from southern Moldova, studying in Chisinau.

The young artists are already working on their creative designs and artwork countering hate speech, which will be displayed in open-space exhibitions in urban centers on both banks of the river.??

^{OHCHR?|?Hate Speech Youth Camp.}

Efforts to counter discrimination and divisive narratives in schools are another pillar of the initiative. In June 2024, 14 engaging awareness-raising events were held in nine high schools on both sides of the river, reaching over 300 teachers, students and parents. These events ranged from focused half-day workshops to in-depth two-day training sessions, covering topics like cognitive biases, logical fallacies, hate speech, and the promotion of non-discrimination and empathy. A handbook containing best practices and tools for informal education to counter discrimination is being prepared and will be widely disseminated in the education sector, in coordination with the line Ministry.??

In a collaborative effort involving 70 media professionals from both sides of the Nistru/Dniester River, nine media products were developed, each focusing on social issues of shared concern, their influence on women and girls, and perspectives on women’s roles in peacebuilding and decision-making processes. One of the joint media teams explored how women on both sides of the Nistru/Dniester River navigate their careers and overcome gender stereotypes. They highlighted the stories of two exceptional women who are shaping their communities and excelling in traditionally male-dominated fields. Ludmila Zagore?, the mayor of R?zc?ie?i in the Security Zone, is renowned for her hands-on approach to local development. Her work, which includes infrastructure improvements, youth initiatives, and active diaspora engagement, has earned her community appreciation.??

On the Left Bank, Inna B?r??nikova leads a social entrepreneurship association that empowers women and promotes social innovation. Both women exemplify leadership and resilience, demonstrating that gender barriers can be overcome through dedication, action, community support, and changing social attitudes.??

The creation of joint media products encouraged media professionals to reflect on the varying social perceptions of women's roles in leadership, entrepreneurship, and agriculture. They explored how media portrayals can either reinforce or challenge gender stereotypes, while also deepening their understanding of the pay gap and gender-based violence on both sides of the river. Young journalist teams translated their pressing concerns into animated short films, focusing on challenges such as language barriers in a culturally diverse landscape and issues related to digital security.?

^{Julia Iacob, student at the Faculty of Arts, 'Ion Creanga' state university}

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Building Unity: How Moldova is countering hate speech and addressing social divides