Dana Ghirca 8D

Human Rights under the Spotlight: A place of no discrimination and Free-Speech

Human rights what are they, anyway? To whom it my concern, which hopefully, is everyone because after all, human rights are the guaranteed rights and freedoms each and every one of us (people) have simply for the fact that we are, well, yes human. This paragraph-essay will focus greatly on the human right that ensures no one is to be discriminated and the right to free public assembly from point A to B, across the vast European continent. But of course, like with every given law or bill, violations of guidelines are more commonly to occur at some point but in most cases, left unknown with the help of each governments blind eye. The truth is, according to the universal declaration of human rights, nothing and absolutely no one can snatch your rights away from you even if they pose to be a powerful figure or a sign of authority. Having said that, it is also stated that no government is whatsoever obliged in any way, shape or form to respect this declaration, if it happens that the whole country wishes otherwise. It also happens that Europe, a hot region currently struggling with the acceptance of many modern era norms such as Gay rights and the controversial arguments involving teenage pregnancies, holds a large account for multiple human rights violations. In the long run, it has been estimated that little over 35% of the worlds population is aware of their human rights with 15% unable to provide the reporters with a specific definition. With this in mind, we can come to understand why some fully developed or still- in-the process -of major- industrialization countries such as France, Romania, Italy and Germany are constantly placed under the microscope the public isnt quite sure what is considered okay and not these days and information is the key. Continue reading to find out all about the unseen human rights abuses happening across southwestern Europe, and explore the many ways the people are effected by the human rights violations in their areas while taking the time to remember how privileged we are to be part of such a democratic and stable place the very place over 35,158,300, people come to call home; Canada! For starters, beginning with a place abundant in culture and fascinating traditions, we come upon Romania, situated right at the intersection of Central and Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea with over 73 kilometers of soft, golden beach. Its close neighbours, sharing borders with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Moldova to the northeast and east, and Bulgaria to the south, Romania is located in the middle of everything. Romanias climate consists of four dazzling seasons with extremely hot summers, lush, rainy springs, dry falls and mild winters. Visitors will likely be in need of a durable and sturdy rain jacket if planning a visit any time of the year. The people inhabiting this wonderful country are friendly, open and very patriotic often seen displaying their folk costumes and hanging the official Romanian flag (three vertical stripes of vibrant red, yellow and blue) outside their houses. The majority of people value and continue to hold strong beliefs in traditionalism and upmost respect directed to the wise and elderly. Today, Romania is categorized as a unitary semi-presidential republic, in which the main power rests in the hands of the president and the representative government, with an extremely corrupt juridical system set in place very similar to the original one used in France. Although Romania is a secular state and has no specific religion set in stone, the majority of the population follow by strict Christian guidelines and identify themselves as either members of the Orthodox,

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Protestantism or Greek-Catholic churches. Eventually, due to the ongoing battles involving the many surrounding Muslim countries such as Turkey, a new minority had been introduced to Romania in the early medieval times Islam. Crossing into a more political area, Romania is commonly known for its high Roma population, provoking second thoughts in many of the yearround alien visitors resulting in a much lower economy and a devastating ripple effect on the deserving people. The thing is, the Roma, or locally known as the Gypsies, have had a long history in Romania starting with the earliest traces of massive immigration numbers consisting of unwanted refugees hiking Europe all the way down, from as far as the very heart of Egypt and the surrounding Middle East. At the time, Romania was widely inhabited by the original Romans and the fierce warriors that were the Dacians, but of course, they retreated to the hills planning out a brand-new city. To this day, the remaining Roma majority that continue to call Romania home have been targeted as useless garbage and have been constantly pushed around by every European state, stamping them as incoming freight and passing them on to the next destination just to be sent back once again. Its no wonder these countries are denying any relationships with the Roma the Roma hold a growing reputation of terror, stealing, child abuse and rape and have neither cultural, political or economic benefits to offer to any place. In fact, most Roma communities live off most of the government funds and various organizations that have not yet understood the lack of money required to sustain more lucrative and important causes, such as the countless orphanages and abandoned children living off the busy streets and alone, by the generosity of the passing strangers. At the same time, neither the Roma nor the Romanian public is aware of the declaration of human rights, luring in too many violations and battles of freedom between the two different groups. If one would chose to carefully study the entire declaration of human rights, they would eventually come upon human right number two, which clearly states that everyone has the right not to be discriminated and in this case, we are doing just that. On the other hand, the Roma have been discriminated because of origin (Middle Eastern countries), skin colour (obviously not Caucasian) traditions (including folk attire and their overall appearance) customs (swearing for good luck, spiting over citizens to ward off bad spirits, marrying at a surprisingly young age (think eight and ten years old!) and so on) and the aspects of their daily lifestyles. But dont necessarily go on believing its always the Romanians doing the fighting, many times and too often for comfort, there have been and still happen, many situations in which groups of reckless Roma citizens have barged in on elderly locals asking for whatever items posed of any value and costing the couples their very own lives in the end. In fact there are multiple cases in which families have been raided of their children, mainly girls, and have proceeded forwards, usually forcing them into a traumatic career of road-side prostitution. The worst part is that families become so worried that even taking a happy stroll through the park on a sunny day seems like more of a challenge maintaining a close watch on their young ones and all. Furthermore, in less populated cities such as Turda, for example, Romanian parents have been outraged with the news that their children would be learning and sharing the same classroom with over five Roma students, not only because they were fearing the fact that their well-educated children would catch onto some of the ways of the Roma, but they felt it would be only right to protect their children against bullying and in the long run, promote a patriotic atmosphere by limiting some schools to the locals, and the locals only. By doing so, the Roma children are being discriminated because of their

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Roma background and are restricted to a life without a proper education, also intersecting with yet another essential human right the right to an education at no cost, interesting, eh?