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Romania — 2021-2023 National Strategy for preventing and combating Antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate speech

In 2021, Romania adopted the National strategy for preventing and combating Antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalisation and hate speech (2021–2023). The strategy applies the IHRA definition, and national authorities consulted with Jewish communities when designing it. An interministerial committee is tasked with monitoring the implementation of the strategy. The first monitoring report came out in May 2022.

The strategy includes specific measures on combating antisemitic hate speech, hate crime and discrimination; antisemitism online; the security and protection of Jewish communities; fostering Jewish life and maintaining Jewish heritage; education; research; and Holocaust remembrance.

The Romanian Government oficially starts the implementation of the 2021-2023 National Strategy for preventing and combating antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate speech

22 March 2022

The Interministerial Committee on implementation oversight of the 2021-2023 National Strategy for preventing and combating Antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate speech, coordinated by Secretary of State with  PM Chancellery, Irina-Dumitrița Solomon, held its first meeting, today, at Victoria Palace.

In his opening remarks, the Head of the PM Chancellery Mircea Abrudean stated that the Executive is fully committed to the fight against Antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate speech, and the successful implementation of the National Strategy represents a priority.

“The national strategy for preventing and combating Antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate speech is an essential instrument, especially in the current context in which we can see an intensification of conspiracy theories and revisionist messages, as well as the proliferation of antisemitic, racist or xenophobic messages, especially in online’, stated the Head of the PM Chancellery.

The Romanian Government’s Special Representative for Promoting the policies of Memory, Combating Xenophobia and Antisemitism Alexandru Muraru outlined the need for Romania to have complete information on the extent of Antisemitism, xenophobia and radicalization in the Romanian society at the end of the implementation of the National Strategy. At the same time, he mentioned that further meetings will take place between the PM Chancellery and the Diplomatic Corps’ representatives, as well as between the representatives of institutions and structures with powers in the field.

Secretary of State Irina-Dumitrița Solomon stated that the National Strategy should not remain only a discourse-assumed target and reiterated the importance that the Romanian Government attaches to the implementation of the National Strategy, especially under the coordination of the PM Chancellery. The Secretary of State also stated that the implementation of the 36 actions of the Strategy related Plan depends on the degree of involvement of all responsible actors.

During the meeting, the participants presented information on the current status of the strategy implementation demarches. The annual progress report will be published in May 2022, one year after the adoption of the Strategy.

Attending the meeting of the Interministerial Committee were: representatives of ministries and institutions that are members – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Sports, Secretariat General of the Government, Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania, National Agency for Roma.

Background information

On May 13, 2021, the Romanian Government adopted, by Government Decision, the first National Strategy for preventing and combating Antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate speech for 2021-2023, and the related Action Plan.

The Interministerial Committee on implementation oversight of the 2021-2023 National Strategy for preventing and combating Antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate speech was established through the Decision of Prime Minister no. 173 / February 28, 2022.