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12. 03. 10. - 16:00

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12. 03. 10. - 16:00

Romania still has problems, according to the US Human Rights report

Romanian Times

Discrimination against the Roma and gays, Lesbians and transgender people is still happening in Romania, according to the Human Rights Report for 2009 issued by the US State Departament today (Fri).

The report says police and gendarmes mistreat and harass detainees and Roma. Prison conditions remain poor, and the judiciary lacks impartiality and is sometimes subject to political influence.

It also refers to government corruption, which "remains a widespread problem".

The report also refers to poor prison conditions and to limited freedom of religion due to restrictive religion laws.

Police corruption, it says, leads to disrespect for police.

The report observes, positively, that the overall number of trafficking victims has decreased, according to the National Agency against Trafficking in Human Beings (ANITP).

Following the country's entry into the EU in 2007, the vast majority of trafficking victims left the country legally, eliminating the need for traffickers to rely on bribing officials to get trafficked persons out of the country, the report reads.

The report estimates that Roma number between 1.8 and 2.5 million and says they face persistent poverty and have poor access to government services, few employment opportunities, high rates of school attrition and inadequate health care.

According to the 2007 Roma Inclusion Barometer, 23 percent of Roma were illiterate and 95 percent had not completed high school. The report contains many examples of cases of discrimination against the Roma.

Almost half of Romanians live in poverty
Almost half of the Romanians (8.89 millions) are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to Eurostat data published today (Weds).

Police carry man off the snow and save his life
A man who had collapsed in freezing weather near a river, in Stoina, Gorj, southern Romania, was saved after policemen carried him for several kilometres.

New government with same eight former ministers proposed
The Romanian parliament will vote on the new government team, proposed by designated Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, tomorrow (Thurs).

Forty-one dead in freezing weather
Another three persons have died due to low temperatures in the last 24 hours, the Romanian Health Ministry said today (Weds).

EC report on Justice is positive, minister says
Romanian Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu currently acting prime minister until the new government is voted in by the parliament, said today (Weds) that the European Commission's interim report on progress in justice is, overall, "positive".

Pink Martini concerts in Bucharest
American orchestra Pink Martini will give a concert in Bucharest on 26 May at the Palace Hall, part of the promotional tour for their latest album "A Retrospective", local organisers Events said today (Weds).

Romania's industrial output up
Romania's industrial output increased by 15.6 per cent in 2011, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said today (Weds).

Father tried for abusing four-year-old girl
A Romanian father was sent to trial for abusing his stepdaughter, aged only 4, prosecutors said today (Weds).

Pitch in best condition for Steaua-Twente match, authorities say
The pitch for the Europa League match Steaua Bucuresti - Twente Enschede will be in optimal condition, the Bucharest town hall promises, after criticism of the National Arena turf.

More Romanian tourists travel to Austria
The number of Romanian tourists to Austria rose last year, after two years of a decline, Austria's National Tourism Office in Romania announced today (Weds).