RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Human rights in Romania, under review in Washington

Official corruption and police violence against the Roma - issues in the US State Department's 2018 human rights report on Romania

Human rights in Romania, under review in Washington
Human rights in Romania, under review in Washington

, 14.03.2019, 13:06

The judiciary in Romania is the main concern of the US State Department. The lack of sufficient personnel, of physical space and of technology to enable the judiciary to act swiftly and efficiently continued, resulting in excessively long trials, the report reads. The document also mentions that the Superior Council of Magistracy, in charge of protecting judicial independence, acted to suspend judges and prosecutors suspected of legal violations.



There were reports, however, that the Judicial Inspection department, an autonomous disciplinary unit within the council, was subject to increasing political influence and was occasionally used to investigate magistrates who prosecuted or ruled against the governing coalition’s officials or allies, the State Department notes in its report.



Overall, the government respected judicial independence and impartiality, although the council determined that some politicians’ public statements infringed on judicial independence. Despite numerous high-profile prosecutions, corrupt practices remained widespread, the report goes on. Officials sometimes engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. The National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) continued to investigate and prosecute corruption cases involving political, judicial, and administrative officials, although verdicts in corruption cases were often inconsistent, with sentences varying widely for similar offenses.



Corruption was widespread in public procurement as well, the document also shows. Bribery was common in the public sector, especially in healthcare. According to the US State Department, discrimination against the Roma continued to be a major problem. Romani groups complained that police harassment and brutality, including beatings, were routine. Both domestic and international media and observers reported societal discrimination against the Roma. The Roma had a higher unemployment rate and a lower life expectancy than ethnic groups other than Roma.



As regards freedom of the press, the State Department writes that independent media were active and expressed a wide variety of views without overt restriction. Conversely, media outlets closely linked to or controlled by politicians and political groups presented news and editorial stances that frequently reflected their owners’ views and targeted criticism at political opponents and other media organizations.



The document also refers to the anti-government protest of August 10, when 15 journalists suffered physical, verbal, or tear gas assaults by gendarmes. On the other hand, there have been reports from NGOs and media that police and gendarmes abused and mistreated prisoners, pretrial detainees, Roma, and other vulnerable persons. The report also notes that prison conditions remained harsh and overcrowded in 2018, failing to meet international standards.

Photo: ©European Union, 2017, Source: EC - Audiovisual Service Photographer: Mauro Bottaro
Today in the News Monday, 28 April 2025

The 20th anniversary of a historic treaty

It’s been 20 years since Romania signed its EU accession treaty, which allowed it to officially become a member of the European Union on 1st...

The 20th anniversary of a historic treaty
Credits: Facebook/Sorin Grindeanu
Today in the News Monday, 28 April 2025

Additional bridges over Prut River

Romania and the Republic of Moldova will soon be connected by a new bridge over the Prut. The new bridge, for which construction works started last...

Additional bridges over Prut River
Mircea Fechet (Photo: gov.ro)
Today in the News Friday, 25 April 2025

The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget

The Environment Fund Administration this year received from the government a record budget for investments, worth over 3.2 billion euros. The money...

The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget
Minister of Education and research, Daniel David
Today in the News Friday, 25 April 2025

Measures for the Romanian education

During Thursday’s meeting, the Romanian government discussed several laws related to education. They established the legal framework for...

Measures for the Romanian education
Today in the News Thursday, 24 April 2025

A new law on the magistrates’ pensions

There are several occupational categories in Romania whose employees are usually retiring under the age of 50 and whose pensions aren’t exclusively...

A new law on the magistrates’ pensions
Today in the News Thursday, 24 April 2025

Downward forecast revision from the World Bank

According to its latest report, the World Bank expects growth in developing economies in Europe and Central Asia to slow down to 2.5% in 2025-2026...

Downward forecast revision from the World Bank
Today in the News Wednesday, 23 April 2025

From budget deficit to governmental debt

  The Romanian finance ministry reiterates Romania’s commitment to meet the 7% of GDP deficit target at the end of the year, and promises...

From budget deficit to governmental debt
Today in the News Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Romanian – German Friendship Day

A year ago, former Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, himself an ethnic German from Transylvania, promulgated the Law establishing April 21 as...

Romanian – German Friendship Day

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company