15th session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group
Geneva, 21 January to 1 February 2013
Statement by Norway
UPR of Romania
Thank you, Mr President,
Norway would like to thank the Romanian delegation for the presentation of their national report. Over the past 20 years, indicators of child well-being have improved considerably in Romania, reforms have taken place, and standards are increasingly modeled on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and EU criteria. However, there are still areas of serious concern, especially related to children living in poverty and children that belong to the Roma minority. Norway recommends Romania to continue its work on improving the situation of children’s rights, by taking further measures to develop comprehensive policies and strategies, and by strengthening the education system, healthcare and social protection.
Trafficking in human beings is reported to be more widespread in Romania than most places in Europe. Victims are most often women, children, undocumented migrants or Roma. Among the root causes of trafficking are poverty, lack of education, lack of decently paid jobs, and the disintegration of community and family ties. Norway recommends Romanian authorities to intensify the fight against the perpetrators operating in the area of human trafficking.
Many of the estimated 2 million Roma in Romania face prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion in their daily lives. They are marginalized and live in very poor socio-economic conditions. Norway recommends Romania to take further appropriate and effective measures to eliminate discrimination against Roma and ensure in particular their access to education, healthcare and employment without discrimination.
Norway remains firmly committed to assist Romania on the path to implement UN and European standards and we encourage the Romanian government to make full use of the financial opportunities that the EU Operational programs and the EEA and Norway Grants offer.
I thank you, Mr President
Fifteenth session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group
January 2013
Advance questions from Norway:
UPR of Romania
- What concrete measures is the Romanian Government planning to take in order to improve the situation of Roma and other vulnerable groups in Romania?
- What concrete measures does the Romanian government take to prevent trafficking in human beings?
- Which obstacles remain in order to be able to classify Romania’s media as fully independent? How will you provide for these obstacles to be removed?