Subject: Human rights in Romania - underage marriages in the gypsy community

The shocking case of Ana-Maria Cioaba, a 12-year-old gypsy girl regarded as a princess by the Roma community in Romania, who was forced into a marriage which she desperately opposed, has spotlighted the serious violations of fundamental human rights in an applicant country due to join the European Union in 2007.

Adherence by the gypsy community to its traditions in cases such as this constitutes flagrant violation of the human rights of children belonging to the gypsy community who are not asked whether and whom they wish to marry but are compelled by force to comply with the choice of their male relatives. This is tolerated if not actually covered up by the Government, which chooses not to implement its own laws, particularly regarding the Roma. For example, the legal age for marriage in Romania is 18 while, under certain conditions, it may be allowed at the age of 16. Concerning the Roma community, however, the authorities tend to turn a blind eye, allowing the practice of forced marriages such as that referred to above to be perpetuated.

What measures will the Commission take and what representations will it make to the Romanian Government with a view to protecting the human rights of underage members of the gypsy community given that Romania's application for European Union membership must denote a significant step forward by the country regarding the protection of human rights?