UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 25) [Several legislative changes with impact on human rights occurred since the second UPR cycle, many of them based on the UPR evaluation and recommendations:] … Law no. 229/2015 amending and supplementing Law no.202/2002 on equal chances and equal treatment between women and men.
Para 57) The Strategy [“Equality, Inclusion, Diversity” 2016-2020] contains seven directions of action, with afferent objectives: … labour (gender equality, inclusion of vulnerable categories, monitoring system);
Para 68) Romania’s legal framework ensures the respect of human rights for all persons, without discrimination of any form, as provided by the Romanian Constitution that also mentions the respect and protection of private life. The antidiscrimination law in Romania (Ordinance no. 137/ 31 August 2000, Art. 2.1) is among the most extensive and inclusive, defining discrimination in a very large sense, including discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation. Since 2000 the law includes provisions on combating incitement to hatred and fighting all discrimination forms. Civil society organizations promoting the respect of the rights of LGBTI persons are active in Romania for watchdog, support and rights promotion activities for the LGBTI community in Romania/Bucharest especially. Yearly, Bucharest hosts the annual festival dedicated to support the rights of the LGBTI persons – Pride Week, including a March for Diversity – Pride parade.
Para 94) The National Agency for Equal Opportunities between Women and Men organizes constantly awareness campaigns on gender equality and equal opportunity, targeting also the Roma community.

UN Compilation:
Para 11) CRC was concerned that …, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children … continued to face discrimination with regard to access to education, health care and employment, and to their standard of living.
Para 49) [CEDAW] remained concerned at the high rate of unemployment among women, especially in rural areas and among Roma women, and the persistent gender pay gap, despite legislation on equal pay for work of equal value. It was concerned at the unequal division of family responsibilities between women and men, the closure of kindergartens, especially in rural areas, and the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work on women.
Para 50) [CEDAW] was concerned at the continued low representation of women in Parliament, in the Government and in regional and local governments.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 7) Save the Children Romania (SCR) stated that Roma children, children … who had identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons continued to be discriminated in sectors such as education or health care.
Para 8) Equality and Human Rights Action Centre (ACTEDO) noted that Roma and LGBT+ persons had reportedly been target of hate speech.
Para 13) EU-FRA stated that the 2011 Civil Code prohibited same-sex partnership and marriage and prohibited the recognition of such partnership and marriages concluded in other countries. Despite this, ACCEP and ACTEDO reported on an initiative to hold a referendum in order to amend the Constitution to specify the legal definition of family as a marriage between a man and women. ACTEDO noted a high level of intolerance displayed towards LGBT+ persons by many public figures during the referendum campaign.
Para 14) ACCEPT stated that gender identity was not explicitly included in the list of criteria of non-discrimination and that the rights of transgender people remained largely ignored by the authorities. There were no official medical protocols and training for professionals on providing healthcare services for transgender persons and very few psychologists and medical professionals were available to provide such services. Medical interventions were not covered by the public healthcare insurance. The legislation on name change obliged transgender persons to go through court procedures. In the absence of clear regulations and laws, the courts issued contradictory interpretation of the law on aspects of gender affirming surgery.