| ROMANIA Romania Romania Joined United Nations: 14 December 1955 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 10/29/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Bucharest
21,959,278 (July 2010 est.)
Emil Boc
Prime Minister since 22 December 2008
Prime Minister since 22 December 2008
President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a
second term); election last held 22 November 2009 with runoff on 6
December 2009
Next scheduled election: November-December 2014
second term); election last held 22 November 2009 with runoff on 6
December 2009
Next scheduled election: November-December 2014
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of
the Parliament
Next scheduled election: November-December 2014
the Parliament
Next scheduled election: November-December 2014
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002
census)
census)
| RELIGIONS |
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%,
Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Republic with 241 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality (municipiu); Legal system is based on civil law system; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 November 2009 with
runoff on 6 December 2009 (next to be held in November-December 2014; Prime Minister appointed by the president with the consent of
the Parliament
Legislative: Bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote
on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (332 seats;
members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 30
November 2008 (next expected to be held November 2012)
Judicial: Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the
Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society
representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional
Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the
Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the
Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 November 2009 with
runoff on 6 December 2009 (next to be held in November-December 2014; Prime Minister appointed by the president with the consent of
the Parliament
Legislative: Bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote
on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (332 seats;
members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 30
November 2008 (next expected to be held November 2012)
Judicial: Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the
Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society
representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional
Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the
Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the
Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies
| LANGUAGES |
Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
| BRIEF HISTORY |
The territory of Romania has been inhabited by different groups of people since prehistory. One of the fossils found - a male, adult
jawbone - has been dated to be between 34,000 and 36,000 years old which would make it one of the oldest fossils found to date
of modern humans in Europe. The territory of today's Romania was inhabited since at least 513 BC by the Getae or Dacians, a
Thracian tribe. Under the leadership of Burebista (70-44 BC) the Dacians became a powerful state which threatened even the
regional interests of the Romans. Julius Caesar intended to start a campaign against the Dacians, but was assassinated in 44 BC. A
few months later, Burebista shared the same fate, assassinated by his own noblemen. His powerful state was divided in four and did
not become unified again until 95, under the reign of the Dacian king Decebalus. The Dacian state sustained a series of conflicts with
the expanding Roman Empire, and was finally conquered in AD 106 by the Roman emperor Trajan, who defeated Decebalus.
Faced by successive invasions of the Goths and Carpi, the Roman administration withdrew in 271. Different people from other
kingdoms (or empires) lived with the Romanians, such as the Gothic Empire (Oium) from 271 until 378, the Hunnish Empire until
435, the Avar Empire and Slavs during the 6th century. Much of Romania fell under the First Bulgarian Empire during the 9th
through 11th centuries. Subsequently Magyars, Pechenegs, Cumans and Tatars also raided and settled in the lands to various
extents. By the 11th century, the area of today's Transylvania became a largely autonomous part of the Kingdom of Hungary. Kings
of Hungary invited the Székely, the Teutonic Order and the Saxons to settle in Transylvania. Many small local states with varying
degree of independence developed, but only in the 14th century the larger principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia emerged to fight
the danger of a new threat in the form of the Ottoman Turks, who conquered Constantinople in 1453. In 1475, Stephen III ("the
Great") of Moldavia scored a decisive victory against the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Vaslui. By 1541, the entire Balkan
peninsula and most of Hungary became Ottoman provinces. In contrast, Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania, came under
Ottoman suzerainty, but conserved fully internal autonomy and, until the 18th century, some external independence. During this
period the Romanian lands were characterised by the slow disappearance of the feudal system, the distinguishment of some rulers
like Vasile Lupu and Dimitrie Cantemir in Moldavia, Matei Basarab and Constantin Brâncoveanu in Wallachia, Gabriel Bethlen in
Transylvania, the Phanariot Epoch, and the appearance of the Russian Empire as a political and military influence. John II, the last
non-Habsburg king of Hungary, moved his royal court to Alba Iulia in Transylvania, and after his abdication as king of Hungary,
became the first Prince of Transylvania. His Edict of Turda was the first decree of religious freedom in the modern history of Europe
(1568). In the subsequent period, Transylvania was ruled by mostly Calvinist Hungarian princes (until the end of the 17th century),
and Protestantism flourished in the region. The Principality of Transylvania experienced a golden age under the absolutistic rule of
Gabriel Bethlen (1613-1629). In 1699, Transylvania became a territory of the Habsburg's Austrian empire, following the Austrian
victory over the Turks. As in most European countries, 1848 brought revolution to Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania,
announced by Tudor Vladimirescu and his Pandurs in the Wallachian uprising of 1821. The goals of the revolutionaries - complete
independence for Moldavia and Wallachia, and national emancipation in Transylvania - remained unfulfilled, but were the basis of
the subsequent evolutions. Also, the uprising helped the population of the three principalities recognise their unity of language and
interests. Heavily taxed and badly administered under the Ottoman Empire, in 1859, people in both Moldavia and Wallachia elected
the same "Domnitor" (ruler) - Alexandru Ioan Cuza - as prince. In 1866, the German prince Carol I (Charles or Karl) of
Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was appointed as Domnitor—Prince—of the Principality of Romania. In 1877, Romania declared
independence from the Ottoman Empire and, following a Russian-Romanian-Turkish war, its independence was recognized by the
Treaty of Berlin, 1878, making it the first independent national state in the eastern half of Europe. Following the war Romania
acquired Dobruja in its southeast, but it was forced to cede southern Bessarabia to Russia. Carol I was proclaimed the first King of
Romania on March 26, 1881. The new state, squeezed between the great powers of the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian
empires, looked to the West, particularly France, for its cultural, educational, military and administrative models. In 1916 Romania
entered World War I on the Entente side, after the Entente agreed to recognize Romanian rights over Transylvania, which at that
time was part of Austria-Hungary. The new state, squeezed between the great powers of the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and
Russian empires, looked to the West, particularly France, for its cultural, educational, military and administrative models. In 1916
Romania entered World War I on the Entente side, after the Entente agreed to recognize Romanian rights over Transylvania, which
at that time was part of Austria-Hungary. Romania was defeated, its capital, Bucharest, and two-thirds of the country occupied by
the Central Powers. In May 1918, Romania was in no position to continue the war, and negotiated a peace treaty with Germany
(see Treaty of Bucharest, 1918). In October 1918, Romania joined the war again. By the end of the war, the Austro-Hungarian
and Russian empires had disintegrated; governing bodies created by the Romanians of Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina
chose union with the Kingdom of Romania, resulting in Greater Romania. In August 1940, Northern Transylvania was awarded to
Hungary by Germany and Italy through the Second Vienna Award. Southern Dobruja was also lost to Bulgaria shortly after Carol's
abdication. Soviet occupation following World War II led to the formation of a communist Peoples' Republic in 1947, and the
abdication of King Michael, who went into exile. In the early 1960s, Romania's communist government began to assert some
independence from the Soviet Union. Nicolae Ceauşescu became General secretary in 1965, and head of state in 1967. The
Romanian Revolution of 1989 resulted in more than 1,000 deaths in Timişoara and Bucharest, and brought about the fall of
Ceauşescu and the end of the Communist regime in Romania. After a weeklong state of unrest in Timişoara, a mass rally summoned
in Bucharest in support of Ceauşescu on December 21, 1989 turned hostile. The Ceauşescu couple, fleeing Bucharest by
helicopter, ended up in the custody of the army; after being tried and convicted by a kangaroo court for genocide and other crimes,
they were executed on December 25, 1989. In December 1991, a new constitution was drafted and subsequently adopted, after a
popular referendum, which, however, attracted criticism from international observers who accused the government of manipulating
the population and even of outright fraud. (The constitution was most recently revised by a national referendum on October 18-19,
2003, again plagued by fraud accusations made by internal and international observers.) The new constitution, which took effect
October 29, 2003, follows the structure of the Constitution of 1991, but makes significant revisions, among which the most
significant are extension of the presidential mandate from four years to five, and the guaranteed protection of private property. The
PNL leader, Călin Popescu Tăriceanu was assigned the difficult task of building a coalition government without including the PSD.
In December 2004, the new coalition government (PD, PNL, PUR Romanian Humanist Party - which eventually changed its name
to Romanian Conservative Party and UDMR), was sworn in under Prime Minister Tăriceanu. Romania joined NATO in 2004, and
the European Union (EU), alongside Bulgaria, on January 1, 2007.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Romania
jawbone - has been dated to be between 34,000 and 36,000 years old which would make it one of the oldest fossils found to date
of modern humans in Europe. The territory of today's Romania was inhabited since at least 513 BC by the Getae or Dacians, a
Thracian tribe. Under the leadership of Burebista (70-44 BC) the Dacians became a powerful state which threatened even the
regional interests of the Romans. Julius Caesar intended to start a campaign against the Dacians, but was assassinated in 44 BC. A
few months later, Burebista shared the same fate, assassinated by his own noblemen. His powerful state was divided in four and did
not become unified again until 95, under the reign of the Dacian king Decebalus. The Dacian state sustained a series of conflicts with
the expanding Roman Empire, and was finally conquered in AD 106 by the Roman emperor Trajan, who defeated Decebalus.
Faced by successive invasions of the Goths and Carpi, the Roman administration withdrew in 271. Different people from other
kingdoms (or empires) lived with the Romanians, such as the Gothic Empire (Oium) from 271 until 378, the Hunnish Empire until
435, the Avar Empire and Slavs during the 6th century. Much of Romania fell under the First Bulgarian Empire during the 9th
through 11th centuries. Subsequently Magyars, Pechenegs, Cumans and Tatars also raided and settled in the lands to various
extents. By the 11th century, the area of today's Transylvania became a largely autonomous part of the Kingdom of Hungary. Kings
of Hungary invited the Székely, the Teutonic Order and the Saxons to settle in Transylvania. Many small local states with varying
degree of independence developed, but only in the 14th century the larger principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia emerged to fight
the danger of a new threat in the form of the Ottoman Turks, who conquered Constantinople in 1453. In 1475, Stephen III ("the
Great") of Moldavia scored a decisive victory against the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Vaslui. By 1541, the entire Balkan
peninsula and most of Hungary became Ottoman provinces. In contrast, Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania, came under
Ottoman suzerainty, but conserved fully internal autonomy and, until the 18th century, some external independence. During this
period the Romanian lands were characterised by the slow disappearance of the feudal system, the distinguishment of some rulers
like Vasile Lupu and Dimitrie Cantemir in Moldavia, Matei Basarab and Constantin Brâncoveanu in Wallachia, Gabriel Bethlen in
Transylvania, the Phanariot Epoch, and the appearance of the Russian Empire as a political and military influence. John II, the last
non-Habsburg king of Hungary, moved his royal court to Alba Iulia in Transylvania, and after his abdication as king of Hungary,
became the first Prince of Transylvania. His Edict of Turda was the first decree of religious freedom in the modern history of Europe
(1568). In the subsequent period, Transylvania was ruled by mostly Calvinist Hungarian princes (until the end of the 17th century),
and Protestantism flourished in the region. The Principality of Transylvania experienced a golden age under the absolutistic rule of
Gabriel Bethlen (1613-1629). In 1699, Transylvania became a territory of the Habsburg's Austrian empire, following the Austrian
victory over the Turks. As in most European countries, 1848 brought revolution to Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania,
announced by Tudor Vladimirescu and his Pandurs in the Wallachian uprising of 1821. The goals of the revolutionaries - complete
independence for Moldavia and Wallachia, and national emancipation in Transylvania - remained unfulfilled, but were the basis of
the subsequent evolutions. Also, the uprising helped the population of the three principalities recognise their unity of language and
interests. Heavily taxed and badly administered under the Ottoman Empire, in 1859, people in both Moldavia and Wallachia elected
the same "Domnitor" (ruler) - Alexandru Ioan Cuza - as prince. In 1866, the German prince Carol I (Charles or Karl) of
Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was appointed as Domnitor—Prince—of the Principality of Romania. In 1877, Romania declared
independence from the Ottoman Empire and, following a Russian-Romanian-Turkish war, its independence was recognized by the
Treaty of Berlin, 1878, making it the first independent national state in the eastern half of Europe. Following the war Romania
acquired Dobruja in its southeast, but it was forced to cede southern Bessarabia to Russia. Carol I was proclaimed the first King of
Romania on March 26, 1881. The new state, squeezed between the great powers of the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian
empires, looked to the West, particularly France, for its cultural, educational, military and administrative models. In 1916 Romania
entered World War I on the Entente side, after the Entente agreed to recognize Romanian rights over Transylvania, which at that
time was part of Austria-Hungary. The new state, squeezed between the great powers of the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and
Russian empires, looked to the West, particularly France, for its cultural, educational, military and administrative models. In 1916
Romania entered World War I on the Entente side, after the Entente agreed to recognize Romanian rights over Transylvania, which
at that time was part of Austria-Hungary. Romania was defeated, its capital, Bucharest, and two-thirds of the country occupied by
the Central Powers. In May 1918, Romania was in no position to continue the war, and negotiated a peace treaty with Germany
(see Treaty of Bucharest, 1918). In October 1918, Romania joined the war again. By the end of the war, the Austro-Hungarian
and Russian empires had disintegrated; governing bodies created by the Romanians of Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina
chose union with the Kingdom of Romania, resulting in Greater Romania. In August 1940, Northern Transylvania was awarded to
Hungary by Germany and Italy through the Second Vienna Award. Southern Dobruja was also lost to Bulgaria shortly after Carol's
abdication. Soviet occupation following World War II led to the formation of a communist Peoples' Republic in 1947, and the
abdication of King Michael, who went into exile. In the early 1960s, Romania's communist government began to assert some
independence from the Soviet Union. Nicolae Ceauşescu became General secretary in 1965, and head of state in 1967. The
Romanian Revolution of 1989 resulted in more than 1,000 deaths in Timişoara and Bucharest, and brought about the fall of
Ceauşescu and the end of the Communist regime in Romania. After a weeklong state of unrest in Timişoara, a mass rally summoned
in Bucharest in support of Ceauşescu on December 21, 1989 turned hostile. The Ceauşescu couple, fleeing Bucharest by
helicopter, ended up in the custody of the army; after being tried and convicted by a kangaroo court for genocide and other crimes,
they were executed on December 25, 1989. In December 1991, a new constitution was drafted and subsequently adopted, after a
popular referendum, which, however, attracted criticism from international observers who accused the government of manipulating
the population and even of outright fraud. (The constitution was most recently revised by a national referendum on October 18-19,
2003, again plagued by fraud accusations made by internal and international observers.) The new constitution, which took effect
October 29, 2003, follows the structure of the Constitution of 1991, but makes significant revisions, among which the most
significant are extension of the presidential mandate from four years to five, and the guaranteed protection of private property. The
PNL leader, Călin Popescu Tăriceanu was assigned the difficult task of building a coalition government without including the PSD.
In December 2004, the new coalition government (PD, PNL, PUR Romanian Humanist Party - which eventually changed its name
to Romanian Conservative Party and UDMR), was sworn in under Prime Minister Tăriceanu. Romania joined NATO in 2004, and
the European Union (EU), alongside Bulgaria, on January 1, 2007.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Romania
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely
obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing
three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic consumption and investment have fueled strong
GDP growth in recent years, but have led to large current account imbalances. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently
started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to
handicap its business environment. Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven in part by strong consumer demand and high wage growth,
rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline, but fell in 2009 as a result of the
world recession. Romania's GDP growth contracted markedly in the last quarter of 2008 as the country began to feel the effects of
a global downturn in financial markets and trade, and GDP fell more than 7% in 2009, and unemployment nearly doubled. Romania
hopes to adopt the euro by 2014.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Romania)
obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing
three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic consumption and investment have fueled strong
GDP growth in recent years, but have led to large current account imbalances. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently
started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to
handicap its business environment. Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven in part by strong consumer demand and high wage growth,
rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline, but fell in 2009 as a result of the
world recession. Romania's GDP growth contracted markedly in the last quarter of 2008 as the country began to feel the effects of
a global downturn in financial markets and trade, and GDP fell more than 7% in 2009, and unemployment nearly doubled. Romania
hopes to adopt the euro by 2014.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Romania)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Romania has made great progress in institutionalizing democratic principles, civil liberties, and respect for human rights since the
Romanian Revolution of 1989.
A large number of present-day Romanian politicians (members of all parties, across the current political spectrum) are former
members of the Romanian Communist Party. Since membership in the party was a key requirement for advancing to high-level
positions before 1989, many people joined more out of a desire to get ahead than as a result of any deep political persuasion.
Nevertheless, the Communist past of the majority of current Romanian politicians is a source of neverending controversy.
The current president is Traian Băsescu, a former leader of the Democratic Party (PD). He fought a close election campaign, and
was elected in December 2004 by a narrow margin. He appointed as prime minister National Liberal Party (PNL) leader Călin
Popescu-Tăriceanu, who headed a new government comprised of the PNL, PD, UDMR, and the Conservative Party (formerly the
Humanist Party). To secure a parliamentary majority, the coalition government also relied on the support of 18 seats in the
Parliament reserved for ethnic minority representatives.
The government's narrow majority in the Romanian Parliament led to calls by some for early elections. In July 2005, Prime Minister
Tăriceanu expressed plans to resign to prompt new elections, but then recanted, noting the need for him and the cabinet to focus on
relief efforts in response to summer floods. In its first year, the government was also tested by a successfully resolved hostage crisis
involving three Romanian journalists kidnapped in Iraq; and the appearance of avian influenza in several parts of the country,
transmitted by wild birds migrating from Asia.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Romania
Romanian Revolution of 1989.
A large number of present-day Romanian politicians (members of all parties, across the current political spectrum) are former
members of the Romanian Communist Party. Since membership in the party was a key requirement for advancing to high-level
positions before 1989, many people joined more out of a desire to get ahead than as a result of any deep political persuasion.
Nevertheless, the Communist past of the majority of current Romanian politicians is a source of neverending controversy.
The current president is Traian Băsescu, a former leader of the Democratic Party (PD). He fought a close election campaign, and
was elected in December 2004 by a narrow margin. He appointed as prime minister National Liberal Party (PNL) leader Călin
Popescu-Tăriceanu, who headed a new government comprised of the PNL, PD, UDMR, and the Conservative Party (formerly the
Humanist Party). To secure a parliamentary majority, the coalition government also relied on the support of 18 seats in the
Parliament reserved for ethnic minority representatives.
The government's narrow majority in the Romanian Parliament led to calls by some for early elections. In July 2005, Prime Minister
Tăriceanu expressed plans to resign to prompt new elections, but then recanted, noting the need for him and the cabinet to focus on
relief efforts in response to summer floods. In its first year, the government was also tested by a successfully resolved hostage crisis
involving three Romanian journalists kidnapped in Iraq; and the appearance of avian influenza in several parts of the country,
transmitted by wild birds migrating from Asia.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Romania
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
The ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to issue a rejoinder, in their dispute submitted in
2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also
opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea
2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also
opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine
bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering,
which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos
bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering,
which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Romania
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Romania is a constitutional democracy with a multiparty, parliamentary system and a population of approximately 21.4 million. The
bicameral parliament (Parlament) consists of the Senate (Senat) and the Chamber of Deputies (Camera Deputatilor); both are elected by
popular vote. The June European parliamentary (EP) elections and November-December presidential elections were judged generally free
and fair. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Romania is a constitutional democracy with a multiparty, parliamentary system and a population of approximately 21.4 million. The
bicameral parliament (Parlament) consists of the Senate (Senat) and the Chamber of Deputies (Camera Deputatilor); both are elected by
popular vote. The June European parliamentary (EP) elections and November-December presidential elections were judged generally free
and fair. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
- There were reports that police and gendarmes mistreated and harassed detainees and Roma.
- Prison conditions remained poor.
- The judiciary lacked impartiality and was sometimes subject to political influence.
- A restrictive religion law continued to limit freedom of religion.
- Property restitution remained extremely slow, and the government failed to take effective action to return Greek Catholic
churches confiscated by the former communist government in 1948. - Government corruption remained a widespread problem.
- There were continued reports of violence and discrimination against women as well as child abuse.
- Persons were trafficked for labor, sexual exploitation, and forced begging.
- Neglect of and inadequate assistance for persons with disabilities was also reported.
- Extensive discrimination and occasional violence against Roma continued to be a problem.
- Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons continued to suffer societal discrimination.
- Discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS, particularly children, remained a problem.
TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
August 27, 2010
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Seventy-seventh session
2-27 August 2010
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 9 of the Convention
Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Romania
A. Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the reports submitted in one document by the State party and the additional information provided orally by
the delegation. He welcomed the high-ranking delegation of the State Party and the resumption of dialogue with it after a period of eleven
years. The Committee welcomes the quality of the document submitted by the State party in accordance with the guidelines of the
Committee and candid and constructive responses of the delegation to questions and comments raised by Committee members.
B. Positive aspects
3. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the revised Constitution of 2003 contains provisions for the prevention of discrimination.
4. The Committee welcomes the adoption of several laws and ordinances to prevent and fight against discrimination, including:
a) Ordinance No. 137 of 2000 on the prevention and repression of all forms of discrimination which constitutes the general legal
framework applicable to the matter;
b) Emergency Ordinance No. 31 of 2002 prohibiting organizations and symbols of fascist, racist and xenophobic and vindication of
individuals recognized as having committed crimes against peace and humanity;
C. Concerns and recommendations
8. The Committee notes the information provided by the State party on the ethnic composition of its population, resulting from the
census that was conducted in 2002. The Committee is however concerned that the conditions for holding the census did not have
complete data, accurate and reliable information on the ethnic reality of the population of the State party, including minorities and
especially the Roma minority.
The Committee recommends that the State party improve its methods of data collection in the forthcoming census in 2011 and create
conditions to provide in its next report, comprehensive, accurate and reliable information on ethnic composition of its population,
especially on the number of Roma and other minorities.
Click here to read more »
August 27, 2010
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Seventy-seventh session
2-27 August 2010
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 9 of the Convention
Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Romania
A. Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the reports submitted in one document by the State party and the additional information provided orally by
the delegation. He welcomed the high-ranking delegation of the State Party and the resumption of dialogue with it after a period of eleven
years. The Committee welcomes the quality of the document submitted by the State party in accordance with the guidelines of the
Committee and candid and constructive responses of the delegation to questions and comments raised by Committee members.
B. Positive aspects
3. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the revised Constitution of 2003 contains provisions for the prevention of discrimination.
4. The Committee welcomes the adoption of several laws and ordinances to prevent and fight against discrimination, including:
a) Ordinance No. 137 of 2000 on the prevention and repression of all forms of discrimination which constitutes the general legal
framework applicable to the matter;
b) Emergency Ordinance No. 31 of 2002 prohibiting organizations and symbols of fascist, racist and xenophobic and vindication of
individuals recognized as having committed crimes against peace and humanity;
C. Concerns and recommendations
8. The Committee notes the information provided by the State party on the ethnic composition of its population, resulting from the
census that was conducted in 2002. The Committee is however concerned that the conditions for holding the census did not have
complete data, accurate and reliable information on the ethnic reality of the population of the State party, including minorities and
especially the Roma minority.
The Committee recommends that the State party improve its methods of data collection in the forthcoming census in 2011 and create
conditions to provide in its next report, comprehensive, accurate and reliable information on ethnic composition of its population,
especially on the number of Roma and other minorities.
Click here to read more »
Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 2
Civil Liberties Score: 2
Status: Free
Overview
President Traian Basescu narrowly won a second term in a December 2009 runoff election against Mircea Geoana of the Social
Democratic Party (PSD), paving the way for a new coalition government led by the Basescu-allied Democratic Liberal Party (PDL). A
fragile governing coalition between the PSD and PDL had collapsed in October, leading to months of political deadlock. Separately, a
European Union progress report in July found that Romania’s efforts to reform its judicial system and combat corruption were being
hindered by political infighting and procedural delays.
The new Democratic Liberal Party (PDL), a union of the PD and a PNL splinter faction, won parliamentary elections in November 2008,
narrowly defeating a PSD-PC alliance in the lower house, 115 seats to 114, and in the Senate, 51 seats to 49. The rivals then formed a
grand coalition in December, controlling a combined 329 out of 471 seats in both chambers. Meanwhile, the PNL was left with 65 seats
in lower house and 28 seats in the Senate, followed by the UDMR with 22 and 9. The remaining 18 lower house seats were set aside for
ethnic minorities. Voter turnout was less than 40 percent; unlike in previous years, no major fraud allegations were reported. PDL leader
and Cluj mayor Emil Boc was subsequently confirmed by Parliament as the new prime minister.
The grand coalition broke down in October 2009, after the PSD interior minister—Dan Nica, the country’s third interior minister that
year—was sacked for suggesting that the PDL was planning to engage in fraud in the upcoming presidential election. The PSD withdrew
from the coalition, and Boc’s resulting minority government was ousted in a no-confidence vote, leaving a caretaker government in place
as the presidential campaign began. The opposition rejected Basescu’s nominees to replace Boc in the weeks leading up to the vote.
Basescu and his PSD challenger, Mircea Geoana, led the first round in November with 32 percent and 31 percent, respectively.PNL
candidate Crin Antonescu, who placed third with 20 percent, then endorsed Geoana, as did the UDMR. Nevertheless, Basescu won the
December runoff by some 70,000 votes amid 58 percent turnout, and the Constitutional Court confirmed the results after the PSD
forced a partial recount. Parliament subsequently approved a new PDL-UDMR coalition government led by Boc.
The year’s political clashes took place as the EU pressed Romania to follow through on judicial and anticorruption reforms, and as the
global economic downturn placed serious strains on the national budget. The government agreed in March to a $27 billion package of
emergency loans from the International Monetary Fund and other lenders, pledging to undertake painful deficit reductions over the next
several years. Separately, the EU released roughly $200 million in agricultural aid that had been frozen in 2008, citing improvements in
Romania’s disbursement system.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 2
Civil Liberties Score: 2
Status: Free
Overview
President Traian Basescu narrowly won a second term in a December 2009 runoff election against Mircea Geoana of the Social
Democratic Party (PSD), paving the way for a new coalition government led by the Basescu-allied Democratic Liberal Party (PDL). A
fragile governing coalition between the PSD and PDL had collapsed in October, leading to months of political deadlock. Separately, a
European Union progress report in July found that Romania’s efforts to reform its judicial system and combat corruption were being
hindered by political infighting and procedural delays.
The new Democratic Liberal Party (PDL), a union of the PD and a PNL splinter faction, won parliamentary elections in November 2008,
narrowly defeating a PSD-PC alliance in the lower house, 115 seats to 114, and in the Senate, 51 seats to 49. The rivals then formed a
grand coalition in December, controlling a combined 329 out of 471 seats in both chambers. Meanwhile, the PNL was left with 65 seats
in lower house and 28 seats in the Senate, followed by the UDMR with 22 and 9. The remaining 18 lower house seats were set aside for
ethnic minorities. Voter turnout was less than 40 percent; unlike in previous years, no major fraud allegations were reported. PDL leader
and Cluj mayor Emil Boc was subsequently confirmed by Parliament as the new prime minister.
The grand coalition broke down in October 2009, after the PSD interior minister—Dan Nica, the country’s third interior minister that
year—was sacked for suggesting that the PDL was planning to engage in fraud in the upcoming presidential election. The PSD withdrew
from the coalition, and Boc’s resulting minority government was ousted in a no-confidence vote, leaving a caretaker government in place
as the presidential campaign began. The opposition rejected Basescu’s nominees to replace Boc in the weeks leading up to the vote.
Basescu and his PSD challenger, Mircea Geoana, led the first round in November with 32 percent and 31 percent, respectively.PNL
candidate Crin Antonescu, who placed third with 20 percent, then endorsed Geoana, as did the UDMR. Nevertheless, Basescu won the
December runoff by some 70,000 votes amid 58 percent turnout, and the Constitutional Court confirmed the results after the PSD
forced a partial recount. Parliament subsequently approved a new PDL-UDMR coalition government led by Boc.
The year’s political clashes took place as the EU pressed Romania to follow through on judicial and anticorruption reforms, and as the
global economic downturn placed serious strains on the national budget. The government agreed in March to a $27 billion package of
emergency loans from the International Monetary Fund and other lenders, pledging to undertake painful deficit reductions over the next
several years. Separately, the EU released roughly $200 million in agricultural aid that had been frozen in 2008, citing improvements in
Romania’s disbursement system.
Click here to read more »
Romania: Roma in Miercurea Ciuc continue to suffer violations of their right to adequate housing
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
18 October 2010
Amnesty International called on the Government of Romania and relevant local authorities to urgently address the violations of the right
to adequate housing of approximately 75 Roma, including families with children, who were resettled by the local authorities next to a
sewage treatment plant in Miercurea Ciuc, in central Romania. Their housing and living conditions are inadequate and do not comply
with international standards. The approaching winter, during which the temperature in Miercurea Ciuc can be below -25 °C, is a
reminder of the need for an alternative site to be found without further delays. The Romanian authorities must consult with all the
affected individuals on alternative sites and provide them with adequate alternative housing.
These individuals and families had been forcibly evicted by municipal authorities from a building located in the centre of Miercurea Ciuc,
on Pictor Nagy Imre street, in June 2004 and were resettled by the authorities in metal mobile cabins on the outskirts of the town at the
end of Primaverii street, next to a sewage treatment plant, reportedly as a temporary measure.
Although the relocation of the Romani families to Primaverii Street next to the sewage plant was supposed to be temporary, more than
six years later, Amnesty International is deeply concerned that approximately 75 Roma, including families with children, remain in these
inadequate housing and living conditions. In addition, Amnesty International is concerned by the failure of the local authorities to consult
with members of the community and ensure that an alternative site and adequate housing is provided as a matter of urgency.
The evicted families continue to live in extremely precarious conditions that do not fulfil the human right to adequate housing and
continue to be excluded and cast to the fringes of the city. The cabins and shacks are connected to the electricity grid, there is one tap
for drinking water, garbage collection services are provided free by the municipality and children are bussed free of charge to school.
However, the living conditions are inhumane, the metal cabins are overcrowded, and the sanitation facilities are woefully inadequate with
only four toilet cubicles for the entire community. The conditions are deeply inadequate for human habitation as neither the cabins nor
the shacks provide enough space or protection from damp, heat, rain and wind.
The metal cabins and shacks are very close to the sewage plant and are within the 300-metre protection zone established by national law
to separate human habitation from potential toxic hazards. A sign on the fence of the sewage plant warns of “toxic danger”. The
authorities placed the Romani community in an area that could be hazardous to their health and have done nothing to investigate the
potential danger. An unpleasant smell of human excreta permeates the air around the metal cabins and shacks. Many Roma living there
referred to the impact the smell had on their daily lives and their fears that it was hazardous to their and their families’ health.
Click here to read more »
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
18 October 2010
Amnesty International called on the Government of Romania and relevant local authorities to urgently address the violations of the right
to adequate housing of approximately 75 Roma, including families with children, who were resettled by the local authorities next to a
sewage treatment plant in Miercurea Ciuc, in central Romania. Their housing and living conditions are inadequate and do not comply
with international standards. The approaching winter, during which the temperature in Miercurea Ciuc can be below -25 °C, is a
reminder of the need for an alternative site to be found without further delays. The Romanian authorities must consult with all the
affected individuals on alternative sites and provide them with adequate alternative housing.
These individuals and families had been forcibly evicted by municipal authorities from a building located in the centre of Miercurea Ciuc,
on Pictor Nagy Imre street, in June 2004 and were resettled by the authorities in metal mobile cabins on the outskirts of the town at the
end of Primaverii street, next to a sewage treatment plant, reportedly as a temporary measure.
Although the relocation of the Romani families to Primaverii Street next to the sewage plant was supposed to be temporary, more than
six years later, Amnesty International is deeply concerned that approximately 75 Roma, including families with children, remain in these
inadequate housing and living conditions. In addition, Amnesty International is concerned by the failure of the local authorities to consult
with members of the community and ensure that an alternative site and adequate housing is provided as a matter of urgency.
The evicted families continue to live in extremely precarious conditions that do not fulfil the human right to adequate housing and
continue to be excluded and cast to the fringes of the city. The cabins and shacks are connected to the electricity grid, there is one tap
for drinking water, garbage collection services are provided free by the municipality and children are bussed free of charge to school.
However, the living conditions are inhumane, the metal cabins are overcrowded, and the sanitation facilities are woefully inadequate with
only four toilet cubicles for the entire community. The conditions are deeply inadequate for human habitation as neither the cabins nor
the shacks provide enough space or protection from damp, heat, rain and wind.
The metal cabins and shacks are very close to the sewage plant and are within the 300-metre protection zone established by national law
to separate human habitation from potential toxic hazards. A sign on the fence of the sewage plant warns of “toxic danger”. The
authorities placed the Romani community in an area that could be hazardous to their health and have done nothing to investigate the
potential danger. An unpleasant smell of human excreta permeates the air around the metal cabins and shacks. Many Roma living there
referred to the impact the smell had on their daily lives and their fears that it was hazardous to their and their families’ health.
Click here to read more »
EU: A Key Intervention in Roma Expulsions
France Should Review Policy to Ensure No Collective Expulsions
September 14, 2010
(Paris) - The strong condemnation by the European commissioner for fundamental rights, Viviane Reding, of France's expulsion of
Roma to Romania and Bulgaria sends a powerful message against discrimination, Human Rights Watch said today. At a midday briefing
in Brussels, Reding said she was personally convinced that the European Commission would have to initiate infringement proceedings
against France for a discriminatory application of European Union law on freedom of movement.
A special charter flight to Bucharest took off on September 14, 2010, from Marseilles with about 100 Roma adults and children, despite
a European Parliament resolution on September 9 calling on France to suspend the expulsions. Another flight left Paris the same day with
130 people aboard. European parliamentarians had urged the Commission to take action during a fierce debate last week in Strasbourg.
"Reding's forceful statement comes not a moment too soon," said Benjamin Ward, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human
Rights Watch. "The French government needs to heed the calls from Brussels and halt this abusive policy."
According to official figures, 979 Romanian and Bulgarian Roma were expelled between July 28 and August 27. Almost half were
removed on special flights, while the rest were put on regular commercial flights. Many of those returned had been evicted from
informal settlements. Another charter flight is scheduled for September 30.
The French government contends that the vast majority of those returned left France voluntarily. For several years, France has had a
"voluntary and assisted" repatriation program, offering adults 300 Euros and children 100 Euros to be returned to their countries of origin.
The Council of Europe commissioner for human rights, Thomas Hammarberg, has raised concerns that some of these returns are not
actually voluntary. He cited intimidation by law enforcement personnel and the confiscation of identity papers to prevent individuals from
changing their minds.
Moreover, those who refuse to leave face expulsion. In July 2008, a coalition of French nongovernmental organizations filed a complaint
with the European Commission about this practice. Two years later, as of mid-August, the Commission had not responded.
Click here to read more »
France Should Review Policy to Ensure No Collective Expulsions
September 14, 2010
(Paris) - The strong condemnation by the European commissioner for fundamental rights, Viviane Reding, of France's expulsion of
Roma to Romania and Bulgaria sends a powerful message against discrimination, Human Rights Watch said today. At a midday briefing
in Brussels, Reding said she was personally convinced that the European Commission would have to initiate infringement proceedings
against France for a discriminatory application of European Union law on freedom of movement.
A special charter flight to Bucharest took off on September 14, 2010, from Marseilles with about 100 Roma adults and children, despite
a European Parliament resolution on September 9 calling on France to suspend the expulsions. Another flight left Paris the same day with
130 people aboard. European parliamentarians had urged the Commission to take action during a fierce debate last week in Strasbourg.
"Reding's forceful statement comes not a moment too soon," said Benjamin Ward, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human
Rights Watch. "The French government needs to heed the calls from Brussels and halt this abusive policy."
According to official figures, 979 Romanian and Bulgarian Roma were expelled between July 28 and August 27. Almost half were
removed on special flights, while the rest were put on regular commercial flights. Many of those returned had been evicted from
informal settlements. Another charter flight is scheduled for September 30.
The French government contends that the vast majority of those returned left France voluntarily. For several years, France has had a
"voluntary and assisted" repatriation program, offering adults 300 Euros and children 100 Euros to be returned to their countries of origin.
The Council of Europe commissioner for human rights, Thomas Hammarberg, has raised concerns that some of these returns are not
actually voluntary. He cited intimidation by law enforcement personnel and the confiscation of identity papers to prevent individuals from
changing their minds.
Moreover, those who refuse to leave face expulsion. In July 2008, a coalition of French nongovernmental organizations filed a complaint
with the European Commission about this practice. Two years later, as of mid-August, the Commission had not responded.
Click here to read more »
Laszlo Andor: Romanian Government has strategy for future in respect to integration of Gypsies
Bucharest,
Oct 13 2010
The Romanian Government knows what it has to do in respect to the integration of the Gypsies and it is to put all pieces together in a
national strategy, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Laszlo Andor told a press conference on
Wednesday.
'After I met the ministers, it became clear to me that the Government did have a clear vision and understanding of the problems that need
to be taken care of in connection with the inclusion of the Gypsy population. Moreover, the Government has a strategy for the future,
which needs first of all to be implemented nationwide and then to be included in a European strategy,' the European Commissioner told
the conference 'Contribution of European Funds to the Integration of Gypsies.'
He showed that, after meeting President Traian Basescu and Senate President Mircea Geoana, he understood that EU funds played an
important part in assisting Romania in its efforts to integrate the Gypsy population.
'We will do our best for a better absorption of the EU funds in Romania. Of course, we are talking about technical assistance,' said
Laszlo Andor.
The European Commissioner paid a two-day visit to Romania, the main goal of which was his participation in the opening of the
conference on European funds and the inclusion of the Gypsy community. During his stay in Romania the European Commissioner met
representatives of the Romanian Government, namely Minister of Labour Ioan-Nelu Botis and the one of Education Daniel Funeriu, but
also Head of State Traian Basescu.
As regards the visits he paid to a number of Romanian schools, the Commissioner wanted to see both the teaching methods used and
what the atmosphere among students and teachers was like.
'All this is extremely important for the success of the European plan,' explained the European official.
When asked about his meetings with the leaders of the Gypsy community, Laszlo Andor said that there was a consensus between them
and the Romanian authorities in terms of needs and measures to be taken, education being the key point here.
When asked about the return to Parliament of the pension law and the measure meant to equalize retirement ages for men and women,
the European official stressed that the choice of the pension system was of national competence and that it was the responsibility of the
Government and Parliament and he also added that 'it was not the equalization of the retirement age that concerned us, but the hurry with
which these changes had to be introduced because of the international economic context.'
Click here to read more »
Bucharest,
Oct 13 2010
The Romanian Government knows what it has to do in respect to the integration of the Gypsies and it is to put all pieces together in a
national strategy, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Laszlo Andor told a press conference on
Wednesday.
'After I met the ministers, it became clear to me that the Government did have a clear vision and understanding of the problems that need
to be taken care of in connection with the inclusion of the Gypsy population. Moreover, the Government has a strategy for the future,
which needs first of all to be implemented nationwide and then to be included in a European strategy,' the European Commissioner told
the conference 'Contribution of European Funds to the Integration of Gypsies.'
He showed that, after meeting President Traian Basescu and Senate President Mircea Geoana, he understood that EU funds played an
important part in assisting Romania in its efforts to integrate the Gypsy population.
'We will do our best for a better absorption of the EU funds in Romania. Of course, we are talking about technical assistance,' said
Laszlo Andor.
The European Commissioner paid a two-day visit to Romania, the main goal of which was his participation in the opening of the
conference on European funds and the inclusion of the Gypsy community. During his stay in Romania the European Commissioner met
representatives of the Romanian Government, namely Minister of Labour Ioan-Nelu Botis and the one of Education Daniel Funeriu, but
also Head of State Traian Basescu.
As regards the visits he paid to a number of Romanian schools, the Commissioner wanted to see both the teaching methods used and
what the atmosphere among students and teachers was like.
'All this is extremely important for the success of the European plan,' explained the European official.
When asked about his meetings with the leaders of the Gypsy community, Laszlo Andor said that there was a consensus between them
and the Romanian authorities in terms of needs and measures to be taken, education being the key point here.
When asked about the return to Parliament of the pension law and the measure meant to equalize retirement ages for men and women,
the European official stressed that the choice of the pension system was of national competence and that it was the responsibility of the
Government and Parliament and he also added that 'it was not the equalization of the retirement age that concerned us, but the hurry with
which these changes had to be introduced because of the international economic context.'
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM ROMANIAN BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
PRESS RELEASE
The third quarter of 2010
01 October 2010
In the third quarter of 2010, 4526 hearings were granted, of which 766, and 3760 at the headquarters, regional offices.
Have also been settled according to legal competence, 2189 petition. Of these, 1004 complaints were resolved by the People's Advocate
territorial office in Alba-Iulia, Bacau, Brasov, Constanta, Craiova, Cluj-Napoca, Galati, Iasi, Suceava, Oradea, Pitesti, Ploiesti, Targu
Mures and Timisoara The remaining 1185 were settled at the headquarters.
5 surveys were conducted: the right to private property and the right person aggrieved by a public authority, the Ministry of Environment
and Forests, the living and the right person aggrieved by a public authority, the Local Pension House Onesti, Bacau county, free access
justice and private property, the Mayor Corneşti, Cluj County, the right to life and physical and mental integrity and the right to health
care, prison Craiova your level and the right to health care, prison Botosani.
Were made at the request of the Constitutional Court, 197 views on exceptions of unconstitutionality.
Have been raised directly by the Ombudsman three unconstitutionality of: the provisions of Government Emergency Ordinance no.
63/2010 for amending and supplementing Law no. 273/2006 on local public finances and the establishment of financial measures,
published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no. 450 of July 2, 2010, art. I, section 1 and art. II of the Emergency Ordinance no.
62/2010 for amending and supplementing Law no. 221/2009 on convictions of political and administrative measures assimilated, given
the period March 6, 1945 to December 22, 1989, and to suspend the application of provisions of Title VII of the Law. 247/2005
regarding the reform of property and justice, as well as some related measures, published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no.
446 dated July 1, 2010 and art. 31 of Government Ordinance no. 25/2006 on strengthening the administrative capacity of the Romanian
Office for Copyright, as amended and supplemented by art. III, section 1 of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 43/2010 for the
amendment of legislation to reduce or simplify administrative authorizations / permits / procedures as a result of measures undertaken by
the Government to simplify the Plan for the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and Romania, signed in
Bucharest and in Brussels 23 June 2009.
Nurse Claudia
Advisor Ombudsman
Click here to read more »
PRESS RELEASE
The third quarter of 2010
01 October 2010
In the third quarter of 2010, 4526 hearings were granted, of which 766, and 3760 at the headquarters, regional offices.
Have also been settled according to legal competence, 2189 petition. Of these, 1004 complaints were resolved by the People's Advocate
territorial office in Alba-Iulia, Bacau, Brasov, Constanta, Craiova, Cluj-Napoca, Galati, Iasi, Suceava, Oradea, Pitesti, Ploiesti, Targu
Mures and Timisoara The remaining 1185 were settled at the headquarters.
5 surveys were conducted: the right to private property and the right person aggrieved by a public authority, the Ministry of Environment
and Forests, the living and the right person aggrieved by a public authority, the Local Pension House Onesti, Bacau county, free access
justice and private property, the Mayor Corneşti, Cluj County, the right to life and physical and mental integrity and the right to health
care, prison Craiova your level and the right to health care, prison Botosani.
Were made at the request of the Constitutional Court, 197 views on exceptions of unconstitutionality.
Have been raised directly by the Ombudsman three unconstitutionality of: the provisions of Government Emergency Ordinance no.
63/2010 for amending and supplementing Law no. 273/2006 on local public finances and the establishment of financial measures,
published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no. 450 of July 2, 2010, art. I, section 1 and art. II of the Emergency Ordinance no.
62/2010 for amending and supplementing Law no. 221/2009 on convictions of political and administrative measures assimilated, given
the period March 6, 1945 to December 22, 1989, and to suspend the application of provisions of Title VII of the Law. 247/2005
regarding the reform of property and justice, as well as some related measures, published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no.
446 dated July 1, 2010 and art. 31 of Government Ordinance no. 25/2006 on strengthening the administrative capacity of the Romanian
Office for Copyright, as amended and supplemented by art. III, section 1 of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 43/2010 for the
amendment of legislation to reduce or simplify administrative authorizations / permits / procedures as a result of measures undertaken by
the Government to simplify the Plan for the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and Romania, signed in
Bucharest and in Brussels 23 June 2009.
Nurse Claudia
Advisor Ombudsman
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM ROMANIAN BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
Press APADOR-CH on the ECHR decision against Romania because Cucolaş
26.10.10
Today, 26 October 2010 the European Court of Human Rights ruled in the case Cucolaş against Romania and the Romanian state
condemned for infringing the right of not being subjected to mistreatment. The applicant, Maria Stella Cucolaş was supported in his
efforts before the European Court of APADOR-CH.
The applicant complained to the European Court of conditions in which it was held during his pre-arrest and subsequent execution of the
sentence (between 2000-2003) in the County Police Inspectorate custody and prisons Botosani Suceava, Bucharest Jilava and White
Gate. The European Court found violations of Article 3 of the European Convention and concluded that the overcrowded room that the
applicant was detained for more than four years is a violation of European Convention. The Court also criticized the deplorable
conditions of detention, in particular the lack of potable water and hot water, lack of ventilation of the rooms and lack of hygiene cells.
APADOR-CH points out that the problems identified by the European Court are generic and persist in the Romanian penitentiary system,
with the consequence of possible new sentences in similar cases in Romania.
The full text of the decision is available in French www.echr.coe.int site.
October 26, 2010
APADOR-CH
For further details: Diana-Olivia Hatneanu - CEO APADOR-CH, phone 0733.078.718
Raluca Stăncescu - Lawyer, phone 0733.078.722
Click here to read more>>
Press APADOR-CH on the ECHR decision against Romania because Cucolaş
26.10.10
Today, 26 October 2010 the European Court of Human Rights ruled in the case Cucolaş against Romania and the Romanian state
condemned for infringing the right of not being subjected to mistreatment. The applicant, Maria Stella Cucolaş was supported in his
efforts before the European Court of APADOR-CH.
The applicant complained to the European Court of conditions in which it was held during his pre-arrest and subsequent execution of the
sentence (between 2000-2003) in the County Police Inspectorate custody and prisons Botosani Suceava, Bucharest Jilava and White
Gate. The European Court found violations of Article 3 of the European Convention and concluded that the overcrowded room that the
applicant was detained for more than four years is a violation of European Convention. The Court also criticized the deplorable
conditions of detention, in particular the lack of potable water and hot water, lack of ventilation of the rooms and lack of hygiene cells.
APADOR-CH points out that the problems identified by the European Court are generic and persist in the Romanian penitentiary system,
with the consequence of possible new sentences in similar cases in Romania.
The full text of the decision is available in French www.echr.coe.int site.
October 26, 2010
APADOR-CH
For further details: Diana-Olivia Hatneanu - CEO APADOR-CH, phone 0733.078.718
Raluca Stăncescu - Lawyer, phone 0733.078.722
Click here to read more>>
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Traian Basescu
President since 20 December 2004
President since 20 December 2004
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
Marko Bela
Deputy Prime Minister
since 23 December 2009
Deputy Prime Minister
since 23 December 2009
