EIRP Proceedings, Vol 10 (2015)

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to present and analyze the European Court of Human Rights Judgment on the question of violation of human rights regarding language and script use in Transnistrian schools. This research is important in the field of globalization and cultural differences because it studies the intercourse between the legal issues and the political implications of an ECtHR decision towards Transnistria – a hot spot on the international relations map since 1991. This paper wants to bring a deeper approach regarding the question of language and script use in the Republic of Moldova which was the core of the dispute between the left and the right bank of the Nistru river that later turned into the armed conflict in Transnistria. The method used was to put into historical context the Courts’ decision of major importance on the Catan and Others v. Moldova and Russia case. Following the presentation and interpretation of the historical background of the language and alphabet issues in Moldova this work underlines the dynamics of the direct connection that exists between international politics, international law and regional crisis. This paper may elicit a more analytical interest for research groups interested in the conflict in Transnistria, the language dispute in Moldova and in international jurisprudence regarding the right to education, but it can also be useful to European or regional political decisional factors engaged in the peaceful conflict resolution. The key contribution of this paper consists of emphasizing the political implications of an ECtHR decision regarding the Republic of Moldova and the conflict in Transnistria.