In recent years it has become a practice, especially around elections, for politicians and political parties to use the image of children for political PR. Parents and teachers are outraged that the images of minors are being used by politicians without the consent of their legal representatives. The ombudsman for the protection of children's rights plans to propose legislative changes to make such practices punishable. These days, public opinion has been disturbed by the image of two pupils from the gymnasium in Hiliuți, Râșcani district, during the "launch" by representatives of the local public authorities and PSRM deputy Vladimir Mîzdrenco of a sanitary unit repaired with public money. The pupils, a boy and a girl, were placed in the toilet room with a red ribbon in their hands, and officials crowded behind the door to get their pictures taken. Although it's pandemonium, the mask was worn only by the local mayor, Alexandru Sandu. The mother of the schoolgirl taken out of class to hold the ribbon is outraged by the situation her daughter has been caught up in. "In the morning I sent my child to school to study. Like all parents do. When she came home she told me that today she was slow at opening a toilet. I don't agree that the principal used my child. I haven't discussed this with her yet", says Ludmila Bîlici. For her part, Nelea Diaconu, a French teacher and local councillor in Hiliuti, says the headmistress is responsible for the safety of pupils at school. She regrets the incident and says the headmistress had no right to take children out of class without parental consent. Ana Matei, the headmistress of the gymnasium, declined to comment on the incident, saying only that the event had no political connotations. Politicians make their image on foreign children Incumbent President Igor Dodon also makes his image on children, often posting pictures of pupils or children from socially vulnerable families on social media. Representatives of other parties also use this form of political PR. In recent years, several politicians have posted pictures of foreign children on social media. Some take pictures of minors at election meetings, others - at educational institutions or other public events. The day after the "event" in Hiliuti, the Minister of Education, Science and Research, Igor Sharov, signed an ORDER banning foreigners from entering educational institutions and organising activities that have nothing to do with the educational process (cultural, artistic and political events, meetings with state dignitaries, voters and candidates for public office, etc.). In Romania, the law protects children from politicians The national legislative framework does not expressly prohibit politicians, civil servants or public officials from using children's image for political or electoral PR purposes. In Romania this is prohibited by Law 33/2007 on the organisation and conduct of elections to the European Parliament. Thus, according to Article 40 (p.10) of this law, "the use of minors under the age of 16 for the distribution or placement of election propaganda materials is prohibited". Maia Bănărescu: "I will propose amendments to electoral and criminal legislation" Children's rights ombudsman Maia Bănărescu regrets that electoral legislation does not prohibit politicians from using the image of foreign children, especially in elections, without the consent of their parents or legal representatives. "According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, minors have the right to the protection of their public image and their intimate, private and family life, and any action that may affect their public image or their rights is prohibited. Unfortunately, in our country the legislator has not provided for the protection of the child's image at the time of abusive contact with the child", said Maia Bănărescu for the Independent Press Association (API). The Ombudsman intends to propose legislative changes that would ban the use of children's images by politicians. "An even more serious situation is seen during election periods, when party representatives and their staffs exploit children and their images for electoral dividends. In this regard, as the Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child, I will monitor the use of children's public images during elections and publish my findings. I will also propose amendments to electoral and criminal legislation to introduce the offence of illegal use of children in electoral campaigns or for the purpose of promoting the image of public officials", says Maia Bănărescu. The Republic of Moldova ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on 12 December 1990 and it entered into force on 25 February 1993. Lilia Zaharia