Romania: Large protests in Bucharest, other cities December 10 /update 2

Event

Large protests erupted in Bucharest and other Romanian cities on Sunday, December 10, against proposed judicial reforms. Some 10,000 people reportedly participated in Sunday's protests in Bucharest, which primarily took place outside of government offices; an additional 10,000 people protested in other cities throughout the country, including in Cluj and Iași. Romanian police closed roads in Bucharest near the protests.

Additional protests, heightened security measures, and associated traffic disruptions are likely to continue in the coming days.

Context

Sunday's demonstrations in Romania were organized to protest proposed judicial legislation drafted by the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD). Critics claim that the legislation, if ratified into law, would make prosecution and conviction of officials accused of corruption more difficult. The PSD seeks to pass the legislation by the end of 2017.

Public outrage erupted in February 2017 after the government ratified an emergency decree allowing certain corruption offenses to be decriminalized. This sparked the biggest protests seen in the country since the fall of communism in 1989. At least half a million Romanians took to the streets, forcing the government to eventually repeal the ordinance and the justice minister to resign. Protests have continued on a regular basis since then, with a series of demonstrations organized in recent weeks. In November, the European Commission stated that it was concerned over ongoing political efforts to undermine judicial independence in Romania. Transparency International considers Romania among the most corrupt countries in the European Union.

Advice

Individuals in Romania, particularly in Bucharest, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, to avoid all demonstrations and rallies due to the risk of violence, and to follow all instructions issued by local authorities.