Helsinki Commission to Examine State of Care for Disabled in Romania

WASHINGTON - Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission), announce that the Commission will hold a hearing entitled "Care for the Disabled in Romania" on September 13, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 562 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

In the early 1990s, images of Romanian children tied to cribs -- neglected, underfed, and often languishing in their own filth --shocked the world and prompted calls for radical reform of Romania's care for disabled and disadvantaged children. The hearing will examine Romanian governmental and non-governmental perspectives on the current state of care of persons with disabilities in Romania.

The witnesses confirmed to testify at the hearing are: Adrian Mindroiu,Director for European Integration, Government of Romania; Eric Rosenthal, Executive Director, Mental Disabilities Rights International; and Cristian Ispas, Founder and Director of Motivation Romania International and National Director of Special Olympics Romania Foundation.