Romania | HCRW

Romania regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. The Ministry of Administration and Interior, the police, the Prosecutor's Office and the Superior Council of Magistracy collect hate crime data.

In 2016, Romania implemented ODIHR's Training Against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) Programme. A specialized hate crime unit was created in the Romanian Police in 2021.

Amendments to the Criminal Code introduced in 2023 set out the constituent elements of hate crimes and the protected grounds therein.

SELECT YEAR

Download the 2021 hate crime report for Romania

OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES

Year	Hate crimes recorded by police	Prosecuted	Sentenced
2023	95	252	239
2022	59	129	16
2021	7	54	128
2020	Not available	Not available	Not available
2019	Not available	Not available	Not available
2018	2	2	33
2017	1	0	8
2016	10	21	50
2015	15	24	59
2014	25	20	Not available
2013	Not available	4	Not available
2012	Not available	Not available	Not available
2011	Not available	Not available	Not available
2010	Not available	Not available	Not available
2009	Not available	1	Not available

About 2021 Data

In addition to the above, a further 20 cases were recorded by police and 276 by the prosecution authorities that fall outside of the OSCE's definition of hate crime. Out of the total number of sentenced cases, the courts applied the aggravating circumstances provision to 19 cases, in accordance with Article 77 of the Criminal Code on offences involving a bias motivation.

Hate crime recorded by police

National developments

The Romanian Police is working to establish specialist hate crime investigation officers. There is now a designated police officer responsible for hate crimes cases within each regional Criminal Investigation Service of the Romanian Police. Consequently, there are 48 specialist hate crime police officers throughout Romania's 41 counties and in Bucharest. In addition, there is a newly established unit within the Criminal Investigation Directorate – the Office for the Investigation of Hate Crimes – which is made up of six police officers.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR recognizes Romania's efforts to provide national hate crime data and information to ODIHR. However, based on the available information, it observes that law enforcement agencies have not recorded the bias motivations of hate crimes. In addition, ODIHR observes that Romania would benefit from raising awareness among and building the capacity of criminal justice officials to address hate crime.

ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, OSCE participating States committed to promptly investigating hate crimes and ensuring that the motives of those convicted of hate crimes are acknowledged. To that end, law enforcement agencies must first record the bias motivations behind hate crimes. Participating States also committed to introducing or further developing professional training and capacity-building activities for law enforcement, prosecution and judicial officials dealing with hate crimes. ODIHR stands ready to support Romania in meeting its relevant commitments through the provision of comprehensive resources and tailored assistance in the area of hate crime recording and data collection, as well as by providing further resources and tailored capacity-building assistance for police, prosecutors, and the judiciary.

Our methodology

Anti-Roma hate crime

Date	Type of incident	Source	Description
2021-09	Violent attacks against people	OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights	Show info
2021-05	Violent attacks against people	OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights	Show info

Anti-Christian hate crime

Date	Type of incident	Source	Description
2021-03	Attacks against property	OIDAC	Show info

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

No information is available.