The legislative and political framework in Romania has improved in the field of the protection of the rights of people with disabilities and women victims of violence, but the implementation of these new laws faces serious structural problems, noted Dunja Mijatović, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, for whom gaps remain and must be filled.
In a report on her visit to the country last November, the Commissioner noted in particular the insufficient funding of social services for people with disabilities, the weak controls of the responsible institutions, the lack of collaboration with NGOs, placements in institutions without the consent of the person concerned, the lack of reflection on a model of societal inclusion, school discrimination, etc.
In this context, the 2019 budget law recently adopted by Parliament is particularly alarming, deplores the Commissioner who notes the lack of public funds necessary both for the proper functioning of child protection and for social services for people with disabilities.
With regard to violence against women, the Commissioner also calls on the Romanian authorities to effectively implement the legislation in force, in particular by allocating sufficient resources to the National Agency for Equal Opportunities between Women and Men and by encouraging cooperation between institutions and civil society. Also to be improved: the shelter network and the implementation of protection orders. "Victims' rights should be at the heart of all measures", the Commissioner said.
In addition, Dunja Mijatović recalls that it is essential to execute all judgments of the European Court of Human Rights related to the protection of the rights of people with disabilities and victims of domestic violence.
Council of Europe human rights standards must be fully respected, she insists. In this respect, it is essential to guarantee the independence of the judiciary, as called for in the many recommendations published by the Venice Commission for Romania. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)