Romania: Situation of Roma (January 2003-June 2005)

General Situation

According to official figures from the Romanian government, the number of Roma in Romania is about 535,000 (RFE/RL 5 Oct. 2004; AFP 2 Feb. 2005; Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5; OSCE 14 Feb. 2005, 23), or 2 per cent of the total population (Freedom House 14 Sept. 2004). However, unofficial estimates of the actual numbers of Roma put the figure closer to 2 (RFE/RL 23 Mar. 2004; AFP 2 Feb. 2005; AP 23 Oct. 2004) or 2.5 million (RFE/RL 5 Oct. 2004; IHF 2005, 11; Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5), or about 10 per cent of Romania's population (ibid.). If true, these estimates would mean Romania has the largest Roma population in Europe (RFE/RL 23 Mar. 2005; AFP 2 Feb. 2005; ERRC n.d.b; IHF 2005, 11). Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) explains that this discrepancy is at least partly due to the fact that many Roma do not wish to be identified as such (5 Oct. 2004).

Several sources indicated that, despite some positive changes in recent years, such as improved human rights legislation and the establishment of equity organizations (RFE/RL 5 Oct. 2004), Romanian Roma continue to face widespread discrimination (ibid.; IHF 2005, 11; Rompres 19 Oct. 2004), in such areas as education, employment, and access to public services (OSCE 14 Feb. 2005, 23) . According to the International Helsinki Federation (IHF), as at the end of 2004, the community was "[c]haracterized by poverty, unemployment, pitiable housing conditions, poor education, meagre public participation, and the lack of identity documents" (2005, 11).

Economic Conditions

A UN survey found that approximately 70 per cent of Romanian Roma lived below the country's poverty line, 70 per cent did not have access to running water, and 80 per cent could not afford prescription drugs (AFP 2 Feb. 2005). Due to the community's high level of unemployment, many Roma required social assistance, which often was not available because of legal measures that exclude them from becoming welfare recipients (IHF 2005, 11; Rompres 27 Oct. 2004; Torquay Herald Express 19 Aug. 2004).

A report by United Press International (UPI) found that some destitute families in Bucharest, many of whom were Romani, were selling their unborn children to strangers for US$650 (UPI 23 Nov. 2004). However, this allegation could not be corroborated by the Research Directorate.

Education

Several sources noted that lack of education was a serious problem among Roma in Romania (IHF 2005, 12). For instance, not only did many Roma children not attend school because they lacked the means, but many also worked instead (ibid.). A large number of those who were in school frequently attended segregated schools (ERRC 6 May 2004; ibid. n.d.; Country Report 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5) that offer substandard education (IHF 2005, 12; ERRC n.d.a, 12). According to the European Roma Rights Center (ERRC), the physical infrastructure and the quality of teaching in these schools, which are often located in Romani ghettos, "are usually poor, but more often deplorable" (n.d.a, 12). Children who attend "mainstream" schools are often put in remedial classes, often because of pressure from non-Romani parents to keep their children away from the Romani pupils (IHF 2005, 12).

According to data released by the ERRC, Romani children are four times less likely than non-Romani children to attend preschool (n.d.a, 12). In addition, Roma children are 25 per cent less likely to attend elementary school and 30 per cent less likely to attend secondary school (ERRC n.d.a, 12). After grade 10, students must pay for their books, which has discouraged many Roma from pursuing their education any further (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5). Approximately 80 per cent of children who are not registered for any type of educational program are Roma (ERRC n.d.a, 12). As a result, almost 40 per cent of adult Roma are illiterate, a trend which, according to the ERRC, has grown, not decreased, since 1989 (ibid.).

In April 2004, the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research announced the implementation of an initiative that would see to the increased quality of education for all children in Romania, regardless of ethnicity (IHF 2005, 12).

In October 2004, two young Romani children were allegedly denied access to a Bucharest kindergarten because they were deemed to have "special needs" (ibid., 13). Investigations showed the claim was false, and the students were eventually allowed to attend the kindergarten (ibid.).

Employment

Country Reports 2004 cited government figures showing that only 27 per cent of Roma held steady jobs, half of which were considered skilled (28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5). Human rights groups reportedly considered the 15 fines imposed in early 2004 against Romanian employers who refused to employ Roma (during an unclear timeframe) as "insufficient" (AFP 8 Apr. 2004). The Bucharest-based Rompres press agency also noted increased unemployment among Romanian Roma between 1994 and 2004 (2 Feb. 2005).

Government

The "Decade on Roma Inclusion," an agreement signed in June 2003 (RFE/RL 2 Feb. 2005), was designed to improve the economic, health, housing, and employment situation of Roma in eight countries, including Romania (SeeNews 9 Feb. 2005). In February 2005, the World Bank announced that it would invest US$50 million to help Romania combat the inequality faced by its native Roma (ibid.). The European Union's Phare program announced in May 2004 that it would provide US$5.3 million toward a project to improve the situation of Romania's Roma in terms of health care, education, and infrastructure (RFE/RL 17 May 2004). In October 2004, the Romanian government announced the creation of the National Agency for the Roma (ibid.), which would replace the Office for Roma Issues (IHF 2005, 12; ERRC 17 Dec. 2004). The new agency would have a budget to monitor and evaluate public administrative bodies in an effort to improve conditions for Romania's Roma (IHF 2005, 12). In October 2004, the Romanian government also launched a US$2 million project aimed at improving Romani living standards by offering training and jobs (Rompres 27 Oct. 2004).

In 2004, the European Union Monitoring and Advocacy Program (EUMAP) of the Open Society Institute (OSI) published its evaluation of the local implementation of the Strategy of the Government of Romania for the Improvement of the Condition of Roma (OSI 2004, 14). Three years after the strategy's implementation (in 2001), the EUMAP found that most of the strategy's administrative structures had been established (ibid.). However, the local bodies lacked the necessary resources to carry out their mission (ibid.) and, according to Romani NGOs, the strategy "had few practical results" (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5). The EUMAP noted the relative success of some smaller initiatives, such as increasing Roma access to identity documents, family planning advice, schools, and job training (OSI 2004, 14). However, more critical issues, such as the lack of property rights, low levels of education, and high unemployment rates, "[would] require much more sustained and far-reaching efforts than have been made so far" (ibid., 15).

Roma Rights reported that in May 2003 the Mehedint County Population Registry refused to issue passports to several Romani children for fear that they would be taken out of the country with their parents to beg (ERRC 9 Feb. 2004). A government official stated that the families of Romani children would be asked for proof that they could support themselves financially before they could obtain passports (ibid.).

The President of a Romani organization called Aven Amentza expressed disappointment that a plan to dedicate a monument to honour Romani victims of the Shoah was "met by indifference from authorities" (AFP 8 Apr. 2004).

Health

A UN survey found that the infant mortality rate among Roma in Romania was four times higher than the national average (AFP 2 Feb. 2005). There were reports that young Romani women were sterilized without their consent (IHF 2005, 12; ERRC 27 Oct. 2004). The IHF reported that in February 2004, family physicians in a village in Constanta County "refused to treat Romani patients on the grounds that they 'smelled bad' and 'were dirty'" (2005, 12).

The non-governmental Roma Center for Social Intervention and Studies (Romani CRISS), which monitors cases of abuse against Roma, and the Ministry of Health apparently continued their cooperation, but progress on a partnership protocol signed in 2001 between the Ministry and the Roma Party to ensure Romani access to adequate healthcare was allegedly minimal (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5).

Housing

In its 2005 report on Romania, the IHF noted that the lack of social assistance benefits in many Roma communities had a "disastrous" effect on the housing conditions of Roma, who often live in "substandard conditions" (11). Rompres indicated that many Roma live in overcrowded ghettos, the situation having deteriorated since 1990 when many Roma sold their flats to join their relatives living in Romani areas (27 Oct 2004). Since many Roma dwell in segregated neighbourhoods on the periphery of towns and cities, and do not own their homes, the IHF alleged that many Roma were "highly vulnerable to forced evictions, abusive police raids and even destruction of property" (2005, 11). Roma Rights reported that several Romani families living in illegal dwellings in Bucharest were evicted and had their homes destroyed in 2003 (ERRC 9 Feb. 2004b). Country Reports 2004 cited several incidents of evictions in Buzau, Galati, and Tulcea counties (28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 1.f).

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

With the help of Romanian Children's Relief and Humanitas, a one-woman charity named Reaching Romania has helped the Romani community of Sanniculau Mic provide a schoolhouse for 30 children to ensure that they can get into state schools (Torquay Herald Express 19 Aug. 2004).

The Romani CRISS found that of its reported 27 new cases in 2004 of alleged human rights violations, 20 involved discrimination and the remainder were cases of violent actions against Roma (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5).

Police

There were reports of negative attitudes of Romanian police toward Roma (Rompres 19 Oct. 2004). Several sources reported numerous alleged incidents of violence by police against Roma (ERRC 9 Feb. 2004a; Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 1.a; OSCE 14 Feb. 2005, 23). According to Amnesty International (AI), "[m]any victims of police ill treatment and misuse of firearms were Roma" (2005). Country Reports 2004 noted that as at the end of 2004 there were no developments in the prosecution of several cases of alleged physical assaults perpetrated by police against Roma (28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 1.a).

After a January 2004 incident in which a Romani couple were allegedly verbally and physically abused by a police officer, even though they were selling goods legally, the country police inspectorate found the police officer in question blameless and recommended instead that the Romani couple be investigated (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 1.a).

Country Reports 2004 also mentioned that in July 2004, while looking for a suspect, several police officers beat 13 Romani villagers (ibid.). Citing the Romani CRISS, Country Reports 2004 said that the village mayor had "threatened to expel the victims from the village if they filed complaints or wrote declarations against the police" (ibid.).

In an October 2004 incident, a Romani man was fatally wounded by a police gunshot when he and others were caught trying to steal wood (AP 23 Oct. 2004). However, a local Roma rights activist denied that the death was the result of discrimination against Roma (23 Oct. 2004).

Politics

IHF indicated that the level of cooperation between many Romani political organizations was low, which in turn hindered their effectiveness (2005, 12). In addition, the IHF noted that Romani public participation was "particularly low in Romania" (2005, 12). Perhaps as many as 20 per cent of Romania's Roma (OSCE 14 Feb. 2005, 23) lack identity documents (many Roma have traditional marriages that are not registered, and thus their children do not receive identity documents), which prevents them from voting (IHF 2005, 12).

The 2004 Law on Local Elections does not allow associations of national minorities, other than those already in parliament, to participate in local elections (IHF 2005, 12). According to the IHF, this law led to lower political participation than previously among Roma at the local level (ibid.). In addition, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) indicated that "[t]he mainstream parties did not manifest particular interest toward [the Roma], and as a rule did not target them in their campaigns" (14 Feb. 2005, 23). However, two Romani parties, including the Roma Social Democratic Party (PRSD), registered candidate lists (OSCE 14 Feb. 2005, 23).

According to the OSCE, Romani parties are often politically inexperienced, and Roma usually prefer to endorse mainstream parties (ibid.). As at the end of 2004, there was one Roma in the country's parliament (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 3).

Society

According to the OSCE, Roma were subject to "social exclusion and marginalization" (14 Feb. 2005, 23). There were reports of Roma being denied entry into certain establishments, such as bars, restaurants (AFP 8 Apr. 2004), and discothèques because of their ethnicity (ERRC 9 Feb. 2004e).

Country Reports 2004 cited a 2003 survey conducted by the Press Monitoring Agency, which showed that 80 per cent of television reports on Roma portrayed them in a negative light (28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5).

Sources reported that a Romani woman was beaten to death by a security guard in a village of west-central Romania (AI 2005) after she had been caught collecting coal from a local mine (ERRC 9 Feb. 2004c). AI reported that a year later, members of the same security firm reportedly beat a Roma man to death after he was caught collecting scrap metal in a mine in Vulcan (2005).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 2 February 2005. "Gypsies in Post-Communist Europe Face Poverty, Discrimination: UN Survey." (Dialog)
_____. 8 April 2004. "Romanian Gypsies Say They Are Bitter on International Roma Day." (Dialog)

Amnesty International (AI). 2005. Amnesty International Report 2005. "Romania." [Accessed 2 June 2005]

Associated Press (AP). 23 October 2004. Alison Mutler. "Romanian Police Shoot Gypsy Man Dead Following Fight That Seriously Injures Two Officers." (Dialog)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004. 28 February 2005. "Romania." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Accessed 24 June 2005]

European Roma Rights Center (ERRC). 17 December 2004. Roma Rights Quarterly. "Romanian Government to Establish New National Agency for Roma." [Accessed 21 Dec. 2004]
_____. 27 October 2004. "Romani Woman Seriously Harmed by Doctors in Romanian Hospital." [Accessed 2 June 2005]
_____. 6 May 2004. "ERRC Report: Segregated Schooling of Roma." [Accessed 6 May 2004]
_____. 9 February 2004a. Roma Rights. No. 4. "Abusive Behaviour Against Roma by Romanian Officials." [Accessed 24 Feb. 2004]
_____. 9 February 2004b. Roma Rights. No. 4. "Roma Forcibly Evicted by Romanian Officials." [Accessed 24 Feb. 2004]
_____. 9 February 2004c. Roma Rights. No. 4. "Roma Killed in Romania." [Accessed 24 Feb. 2004]
_____. 9 February 2004d. Roma Rights. No. 4. "Romani Children Denied Personal Identification Documents in Romania." [Accessed 24 Feb. 2004]
_____. 9 February 2004e. Roma Rights. No. 4. "Roma Prohibited from Entering Public Accomodation in Romania." [Accessed 24 Feb. 2004]
_____. n.d.a. "Report." [Accessed 24 June 2005]
_____. n.d.b. Executive Summary European Roma Rights Center Country Report. "State of Impunity: Human Rights Abuse of Roma in Romania." [Accessed 24 June 2005]

Freedom House. 14 September 2004. "Romania." Freedom in the World 2004. [Accessed 2 June 2005]

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF). 2005. "Extract from the IHF Report: Romania." [Accessed 24 June 2005]

Open Society Institute. 2004. European Union Monitoring and Advocacy Program (EUMAP). "Executive Summary and Recommendations." Monitoring Local Implementation of the Strategy – Romania. [Accessed 24 June 2005]

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). 14 February 2005. Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. "Participation of Roma." Romania: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections: 28 November and 12 December 2004. [Accessed 24 June 2005]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) [Prague]. 2 February 2005. Feature Articles. Don Hill. "Eastern Europe: 'Decade of Roma Inclusion' Starts in Sofia." [Accessed 2 Feb. 2005]
_____. 12 October 2004. Newsline. Vol. 8, No. 193, Part II. "Romania Sets Up National Agency for Romany Minority." (NEXIS)
_____. 5 October 2004. Ahto Lobjakas. "Romania: EU Progress Report Casts Doubt on Accession Readiness." [Accessed 5 Oct. 2004]
_____. 17 May 2004. Newsline. Vol. 8, No. 92, Part II. "Phare Allocates Funding for Romania's Roma." (NEXIS)
_____. 23 March 2004. Feature Articles. Askold Krushelnycky. "EU: How Will Enlargement Affect Romany Populations?" [Accessed 29 Mar. 2004]

Rompres [Bucharest]. 27 October 2004. "Romanian Government Launches Project on Professional Retraining of Roma People." (Dialog)
_____. 19 October 2004. "Association Issues 2003 Annual Report on Situation of Roma in Romania." (Dialog)

SeeNews [Sofia]. 9 February 2005. "World Bank to Back Romanian Roma Decade Program with $50 Mln." (Dialog)

Torquay Herald Express. 19 August 2004. "Kay's Mission to Aid Romanian Gypsies." (Dialog)

United Press International (UPI) News. 23 November 2004. "Street Children for Sale in Romania." (Dialog)

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet Sites, including: Bucharest Daily News, Decade of Roma Inclusion, The Economist, European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Greek Helsinki Committee, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), Romanian Helsinki Committee, Roma Press Center.