Tiraspol Blocks Population Census: Refusal Raises Tensions
Tiraspol is impeding the execution of the population and housing census in the Corjova commune and surrounding areas of the Dubăsari district.
According to an official statement from the Bureau for Reintegration, Tiraspol is adamant about refraining from this process in regions deemed potential hotspots of tension.
Facilitation of access and assurance of security for personnel involved, as well as mobile electronic devices, and the overall data collection procedure in the Corjova commune and other locales within the Dubăsari district, under the jurisdiction of constitutional authorities, were ensured upon the request of the National Bureau of Statistics through the Chișinău-Tiraspol interaction channels, as cited by the Bureau for Reintegration.
"These measures were deemed necessary to preempt incidents and crises in the field, particularly since the targeted area extends beyond Tiraspol's unauthorised checkpoint infrastructure, where the competent national authorities are incapable of promptly implementing security measures and upholding public order," specified the source.
Against this backdrop, Chișinău authorities declare that both the political representative from Tiraspol and the Tiraspol delegation in the Joint Control Commission have adamantly refused to facilitate access or provide security guarantees. They have labelled Chișinău's initiative as provocative and overly politicised, while insisting on abstaining from this process in areas susceptible to tension, notes the Reintegration Bureau.
Authorities in Chișinău assert that these responses underscore Tiraspol's persistence in maintaining artificial barriers between both banks of the Dniester River and its ongoing inclination towards confrontational approaches with Chișinău.
The population and housing census is scheduled to occur from April 8 to July 7, 2024. This marks the third census since independence, crucial for internal needs and meeting international standards. Non-participation, as mandated by Law no. 231/2022, Article 7, in the Census may result in penalties.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
