Human rights in Romania – Marriages of underage Roma

WRITTEN QUESTION

Submission: To the Commission

2 October 2003

Subject: Human rights in Romania – Marriages of underage Roma

The drama of the twelve-year-old Roma girl Anna-Maria Sioaba, the young princess of the Roma in Romania who was forced into marriage despite her desperate refusal, brought to light serious violations of fundamental human rights in a country that was a candidate for EU membership in 2007.

The attachment of the Roma to their traditions constitutes, in cases like this, a blatant violation of the human rights of young Roma. Not only are they not asked if and whom they want to marry, but they are also forcibly made to undergo the choice of their male relatives. All of this happens with the tolerance, if not the cover, of the government, which chooses not to enforce the laws and justice of the country, especially for the Roma. It is characteristic that the legal age for marriage in Romania is 18 years, while marriage is allowed at 16 under certain conditions. However, for the Roma, the authorities turn a blind eye, resulting in the perpetuation of the aforementioned practice of forced marriages.

The Committee asks what measures the Commission will take and what démarches it will make towards the Romanian government in order to protect the human rights of underage Roma children, given that Romania’s candidacy for EU membership must signify significant progress in the country in the field of human rights protection.