Three years later, Romania continues to defy clear directives from numerous regional and international human rights bodies to eliminate all legal penalties for consensual homosexual acts. The newly adopted version of Article 200 falls so far short of this expressed desire, that it calls in question the Romanian government's true level of commitment to the democratic principles of civil society. Even as Romanian parliamentarians quibbled over specific provisions of this unjust law, gay men and lesbians continued to suffer repercussions of their inaction. The Iasi police reportedly failed to specify the reason for their incarceration. It is clear that the newly adopted version of Article 200 exposes gay men and lesbians to continued persecution.
Romanian police continue to harass, blackmail and detain gay men and lesbians with impunity.
We request that you send urgent letters of concern, clearly expressing your dissatisfaction with Article 200 as it stands. Also please urge the Romanian government to conduct a full investigation into the case of Adrian Presnat and Dumitru Vasiliu and to protect them from further persecution. Aleea Patriarhiei nr. The White House Washington.