Universal Periodic Review of Romania – 15th Session
Statement by Australia
22 January 2013
The Government of Australia commends Romanian political parties for acting responsibly and respecting the rule of law in the context of a potential constitutional crisis in the summer of 2012. We are pleased that parliamentary elections in December 2012, leading to the appointment of a new government, received a positive assessment from the OSCE.
Australia is also encouraged by the various judicial reforms Romania has enacted and recommends Romanian authorities continue to pursue reforms intended to ensure the independence of the judiciary and make judicial processes more transparent and efficient.
Whilst acknowledging Romania’s continuing efforts to combat people trafficking, Australia again notes with concern reports of continuing incidents of trafficking in persons, especially women and children and people of Roma origin. Australia recommends Romania strengthen its efforts to combat human trafficking and provide support services to victims, particularly for women and children and Roma people.
Australia is concerned that Roma citizens of Romania have been subject to discrimination, racially motivated violence, segregation in housing, and forced relocation from their places of residence. We further note that Roma children continue to be overrepresented in state care.
Australia recommends that the Romanian Government take practical action to ensure that existing anti-discrimination legislation is properly enforced so as to combat discrimination against its citizens, both systemic and overt, based on in particular, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and HIV status.