Romania: Situation of Human Rights Defenders

Background

In line with its mandate to monitor the implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments (Helsinki 1992, Budapest 1994, Oslo 1998, Maastricht 2003), ODIHR issued a report on 10 February 2026 focusing on the situation of human rights defenders in Romania.

The report contains findings and recommendations from an assessment visit, which took place from 5 to 22 May 2022, as part of ODIHR’s second assessment cycle on the situation of human rights defenders. It is aimed to raise awareness on the identified challenges and good practices as well as to foster dialogue between relevant actors in the country. The report is available in English here.

To discuss the report and the potential follow-up, ODIHR will hold a multi-stakeholder meeting with representatives of authorities on various levels, representatives of independent agencies and national human rights bodies and institutions, civil society and other relevant actors in Romania.

Objectives and main content

The objectives of the event are to:

• Raise awareness on the challenges and good practices related to the protection of human rights defenders in Romania; and about the importance of implementing international standards as set out in the ODIHR Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders;
• Provide a platform for dialogue between authorities, civil society and other relevant actors on addressing identified gaps and challenges in the protection of human rights defenders; as well as any recent developments concerning the protection of human rights defenders in the country;
• Discuss ODIHR’s recommendations related to the situation in Romania and how to implement them in a gender-sensitive, inclusive and sustainable manner;
• Explore possible ways of collaboration with ODIHR and other OSCE structures in relation to the implementation of recommendations.

The event will feature a presentation of the findings of the ODIHR report on the situation of human rights defenders in Romania; and the discussion will feed into the final report of the second assessment cycle.

Participants

The event will gather around 25 participants, including representatives of authorities on various levels, representatives of independent agencies and national human rights bodies and institutions, and civil society.

ODIHR considers gender, age and diversity of participants and is committed to ensure gender-balanced participation at the event and representation of diverse groups of people.

Three representatives of ODIHR will be present at the event.

In the event, ODIHR will provide simultaneous interpretation between English and Romanian.