Forum 18: Moldova

1 August 2006

MOLDOVA: IS CHILDREN'S CAMP 'NORMAL' OR 'UNSANITARY'?
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=820

After attempts by health officials and police with guns and truncheons to close a children's camp, Baptists have denied to Forum 18 News Service claims that the camp is 'unsanitary.' 'The authorities say there are bad conditions for the children at the camp - after they themselves cut off the water,' Baptist leader Ivan Fonaryuk told Forum 18. But local Mayor Iurie Onofrichuk claimed that 'there's the danger of an epidemic.' The children's camp has been running since 2002, and has had good relations with the local Sanitary Epidemiological Service. A German Baptist at the camp told Forum 18 that 'compared with homes and other facilities in the district there is no great difference - or perhaps the camp is better.' The appointment of a new local health official marked the start of the Baptist's problems - despite a senior police official, who inspected the camp, reporting that conditions are 'normal'. Police are currently posted at the gates, to try to stop Baptists entering. It remains unclear why local authorities are this year trying to close the camp."