Date: Mon, 23 Sep 1996 18:31:05 +0200 (MET DST)
From: skolander@bahnhof.se (Bjoern Skolander)
Subject: ROMANIA: EP Resolution Passed

This resolution passed on thursday 19 September, 1996, in the European
Parliament in Strassburg. A draft version of the resolution has earlier been
distributed on this list.

/Bjoern S.
---------------------------


ll(d)   B4-1057i 1063 and 1081/96
Resolution on stiffer penalties for homosexuals in Romania

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
- having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,
- having regard to its previous resolution on Romania,

A.       shocked at the decision of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies to
introduce stiffer penalties for any homosexual relations between consenting
adults in the context of a revision of the Romanian penal code,

B.       whereas homosexuality is now subject in Romania to prison sentences
of between six months and three years; whereas the proposal to amend Article
200 of the penal code would make acts of homosexuality punishable by up to
five years' imprisonment,

C.       whereas the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, among
others, has called on Romania to decriminalize same-sex relationships,

D.       whereas the law will only come into force if a compromise text is
approved by both Chambers and signed by the President of the Republic of
Romania,

1.       Expresses its profound indignation at these decisions by the
Romanian Parliament and condemns any attempt to criminalize sexual relations
between adults of the same sex;

2.       Calls on the President of Romania to use all his powers to prevent
the entry into force of the proposed amendments to the penal code;

3.       Recalls the importance it attaches to respect for human rights and
calls on the Government of Romania to adhere to its undertakings to the
Council of Europe to repeal all laws repressing homosexuality;

4.       Calls on the Commission, the Council and the Member States, each
within their respective spheres of responsibility, to exert pressure to
prevent discriminatory provisions from being adopted;

5 .      Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council,
the commission, the Council of Europe and the Presidentl Government and
Parliament of Romania