CONSTITUTION

29 July 1994

Article 32

Freedom of opinion and expression

(1) All citizens are guaranteed the freedom of opinion and views as well as the freedom of expression by way of word, image or any other possible means.

(2) The freedom of expression shall not infringe upon honour, dignity or right of others to have their own views.

(3) Denial and defamation of the State or of the people, instigation of war and aggression or of national, racial or religious hatred, incitement to discrimination, territorial separatism, public violence and other actions undermining the constitutional order shall be prohibited and punished by law.

Article 40

Freedom of assembly

All meetings, demonstrations, manifestations, processions or other assemblies are free, and shall be organised and conducted in a peaceful manner and without the use of any kind of weapon.

Article 54

Restricting the exercise of certain rights or freedoms

(1) Laws prohibiting or undermining exercise of fundamental human and civil rights and freedoms shall not be adopted in the Republic of Moldova.

(2) Exercise of rights or freedoms shall not be restricted, except in cases when such restriction is provided by law, complies with the generally accepted principles of international law and is necessary for protection of national security, territorial integrity, public order and economic welfare of the country, and for prevention of mass violation of order and crime, for protection of rights, freedoms, and dignity of others, and to prevent disclosure of confidential information or to ensure judicial authority and impartiality.

(3) Nothing in the provisions of the paragraph (2) shall lead to restriction of rights stipulated in the Articles 20-24.

(4) Any restriction shall be proportionate to the circumstances that caused it, and shall not affect the existence of the right or liberty.

[The wording of the Art.54 amended by the Law N 351-XV of 12.07.2001]