United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Philip Alston will make an official visit to Romania between November 2 and November 11. His visit will focus on the situation of Roma, of people with disabilities and of children, groups that are disproportionately affected by poverty and related human rights problems.

Philip Alston will assess the Romanian Government’s efforts to eradicate poverty and how the Government takes into account its international human rights obligations in those efforts, according to a UN statement.

“It is of concern that more than 70% of the Roma minority in Romania live below the poverty line.  They also seem to face a multitude of other human rights challenges, ranging from forced evictions from their homes to excessive use of force by the police,” Alston said.

“In addition, poverty rates among some groups of children are very high, and there is considerable concern about how people with disabilities are treated,” he added.

During his 10-day visit, the UN expert will go to Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Bacau.  He will meet the central government and local governments, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations, representatives of international organizations, courts, academics, and people living in extreme poverty.

“The eradication of poverty is possible if the Romanian government and society at large are serious about addressing this scourge. But it requires political will to respect and protect the human rights of those who are most vulnerable. I look forward to learning how Romania addresses these issues through government policies, public spending and its institutions,” he said.

His full findings and recommendations will be presented in a report to the Human Rights Council in June 2016.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com