Country report on non-discrimination : Romania 2016

Though theoretically a diverse society, the understanding of the principle of equality and non-discrimination in Romania is marked by three historical periods. Firstly, Romanian society had to come to terms with the Communist experience, defined by an imposed rhetoric of equality, de facto contradicted by aggressive assimilationist policies in regard to national or ethnic minorities, refusal to recognise Roma as an ethnic minority, criminalisation of consensual homosexual activities and denial of religious freedom. Secondly, Romania still has to cope with the transition started in 1989. This was a period of increased awareness of the situation of minorities, doubled by a process of asserting the rights of these groups and the principles of equality and non-discrimination, including the adoption in 2000 of the Anti-discrimination Law. The third period, following accession to the EU in 2007, is one of regression in the protection of human rights and revival of nationalistic and extremist discourse and conduct in relation to vulnerable groups, particularly Roma, LGBT people and religious minorities. This last stage of regression was more obvious in electoral years.