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Romania

Romania, with a population of 20 million, is a constitutional republic with a democratic, multi-party parliamentary system. It is a staunch NATO ally and one of the most recent countries to join the European Union. Government corruption remained a widespread problem that affected all sections of society, although in recent years many officials, including high-ranking officials from across the political spectrum, have been prosecuted for corruption. Systematic societal discrimination against Roma affected their access to adequate education, housing, health care, and employment opportunities. Elections have generally met OSCE standards, notwithstanding irregularities Among human rights issues the Commission has addressed over the years in hearings, meetings, and visits are the situation of the Romani and other minorities; religious and other property restitution and compensation issues; corruption; care for the disabled; the welfare of Romanian orphans and abandoned children; and Romania’s ban on intercountry adoptions, a topic that was addressed in several Commission hearings in the mid-2000s. In the early-mid 1980s, the Commission was very active in facilitating Romanian-U.S. family reunification cases.
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Press Releases

Chairman Wilson and Ranking Member Cohen Condemn Rus...

Dec 05, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement condemning Russia’s malign interference in the Romanian presidential election, the second round of which is scheduled […]

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission Delegation Convenes Historic Bla...

Jul 14, 2022

WASHINGTON—From June 29 – July 9, Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) led a bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to Romania, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Sweden to consult […]

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Hearings

Black Sea Security Summit

Jul 01, 2022

A Roundtable Dialogue Hosted by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe On the heels of the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid, on July 1 the Commission on Security […]

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Digests

HELSINKI COMMISSION DIGITAL DIGEST JUNE 2022

Jun 30, 2022

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission to Convene Black Sea Security Su...

Jun 27, 2022

WASHINGTON—On the heels of the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid, on July 1 the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, will convene its […]

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Hearings

European Energy Security Post-Russia

Jun 07, 2022

Russia is weaponizing energy to prolong its unlawful invasion of Ukraine. Unfortunately, the sanctions that Europe and the United States have put in place have not been enough to curb […]

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Press Releases

European Energy Security Focus of Upcoming Helsinki ...

Jun 02, 2022

WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following hearing: EUROPEAN ENERGY SECURITY POST-RUSSIA Tuesday, June 7, 2022 2:30 p.m. Watch […]

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission Recognizes Key Contributions fro...

Mar 08, 2022

WASHINGTON—In light of Russia’s continued criminal war on the peaceful citizens of Ukraine, Helsinki Commission Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin (MD), Co-Chairman Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker […]

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In the News

Experts raise alarm bells in Congress over ‘Europe’s...

Oct 27, 2021

With a handful of frozen conflicts, hybrid warfare, rising autocracy, and political instability, the Black Sea region may be Europe’s most volatile and most overlooked. This week, policy experts are […]

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Hearings

Sweden’s Leadership of the OSCE

Jun 11, 2021

In 2021, Sweden chairs the world’s largest regional security organization—the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)—which comprises 57 participating States stretching from North America, across Europe, and to […]

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Press Releases

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde to Appear at Hels...

Jun 03, 2021

WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following online hearing: SWEDEN’S LEADERSHIP OF THE OSCE Priorities for 2021 Friday, June […]

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission Commemorates 45 Years of Advanci...

Jun 03, 2021

WASHINGTON—To commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, on June 3, Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin (MD) and […]

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