Romania’s Former Political Prisoners To Receive Amnesty, Compensation

Courts can decide the grant of compensation for the moral damage suffered, if after the investigation of all circumstances of causes, it is agreed that the compensation received by law is insufficient, according to a draft law approved by the Romanian Government.

Exceptions include people convicted of crimes against humanity, those who unfolded fascist activities within an organization or movement of this type, as well as people who were convicted through court order and obtained the annulment of the decisions before they became effective.

Political prisoners can ask the court, within three years after the law take effect, to acknowledge the political nature of their conviction. The request might also be submitted after the death of the person involved, by surviving relatives, or by any organization that justifies moral interest.

The court is obligated to take all measures for the obtainment, or, if need be, the reconstruction of the case file where the sentence was rendered, including through point of view request from the Association of Former Political Prisoners in Romania. The request is exempt from stamp taxes and it will be sent to the court in the area of the party interested.

Also, any person subject to political sentences between March 6, 1945 and December 22, 1989, or who was targeted by administrative measures political in nature, or the surviving spouse after the death of the person involved, might ask the court, within five years from the coming into force of this law, to grant compensation for the moral damage sustained after the conviction.