Amnesty International asks for investigations into police actions during protests in Romania

Amnesty International urged Romanian authorities today to start an independent and complete investigation prompted by accusations that excessive force was used by gendarmes during the protests in Bucharest.

 “Today, Amnesty International wrote to the Romanian Minister of Interior, Constantin Traian Igas, the General Inspector of the Romanian Gendarmerie, Col. Angelica Costel Gavrila, and the General Prosecutor, Laura Codruta Kovesi, to express concern about allegations of excessive use of force by police officers (jandarmi) when trying to disperse demonstrators,” goes the press release.

 According to a statement issued on 20 January by the Prosecutor’s Office of the High Court of Justice and Cassation, four criminal complaints have been registered so far against police officers involved in ensuring public order during the demonstrations.

 “The policing of demonstrations should be carried out in a manner that complies with international law and standards, including the duty to exercise restraint, to act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence and the legitimate objective to be achieved, to minimize damage and injury, and to respect and preserve human life,” is the position of the human rights organization.

 Read the entire press release of Amnesty International at this link.

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