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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.

Health minister considers taxing fast food and beer
The new Health Minister Vasile Cepoi said today (Thurs) that the next Health Care Law might include a new tax on fast food and beer, local press informs.

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).