Centrul de Studii pentru Resurse Române[tiwww.centruldestudii.rooffice@centruldestudii.ro

ISBN 978-973-88870-1-5

Centrul de Studii pentru ResurseRom=ne[ti prezint` al doilea ra portpentru perioada 2007-2008 privind

respectarea drepturilor mino rit`]ilorrom=ne[ti din statele membre ale Con -siliului Europei [i vecine cu Rom=nia:Bulgaria, Serbia, Ungaria [i Ucraina.Principala problem` pentru comunit`]ilerom=ne[ti din statele amintite estereprezentat` de faptul c` de[i exist` olegisla]ie pentru protejarea drepturilorminorit`]ilor aceste legi nu sunt aplicate.Mai mult, este pus` \n practic` o strategiede scindare a minorit`]ii rom=ne[ti, ap`r=ndlimbi [i grupuri etnice necunoscute la oprim` vedere. |n paginile ce urmeaz` amadunat date publice care indic` aceast`situa]ie. Pentru o mai bun` \n]elegere asitua]iei comunit`]ilor rom=ne[ti reco -mand`m [i raportul pentru perioada 2006-2007, care poate fi citit la adresawww.centruldestudii.ro

Lingvistica [i istoria r`m=n instrumentepolitice de care depinde soarta unorcomunit`]i minoritare - cel pu]in a[a reiese \nurma unei priviri asupra situa]iei comunit`]ilorrom=ne[ti din ]`rile vecine Rom=niei.

Un proiect de rezolu]ie depus deeuroparlamentarul rom=n Roberta Anastasepe 21 septembrie 2007 constat`: „|ntruc=t\ntr-o serie de state membre ale ConsiliuluiEuropei se constat` manifest`ri deintoleran]` fa]` de drepturile lingvistice aleminorit`]ilor na]ionale, fapt care constituie oamenin]are pentru conservarea limbiirom=ne: 1) depl=nge faptul c` drepturileminorit`]ilor na]ionale, \n special drepturilelor lingvistice nu sunt garantate pe deplin\n \ntreaga Europ`; 2) invit` comisiileparlamentare competente, Consiliul [iComisia s` examineze \n detaliu situa]iacomunit`]ilor rom=ne[ti [i respectareadrepturilor lor lingvistice \n Europa [i s` iam`suri ferme de promovare a toleran]ei [i

Center of Studies for RomanianResources presents a second reportcovering 2007-2008 on how the

minority rights for Romanian communitiesare respected in states members of heCouncil of Europe, neighbouring Romania:Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine and Hungary. Themain problem for Romanian communities inthe afore mentioned countries is that evenif there is a legislation protecting theminority rights, still these laws are not putinto life. Moreover, there is a strategy putinto practice of splitting Romanian commu -nities, thus making new „unknown“ ethnicgroups and languages to appear. In thefollowing pages we gathered public dataindicating this situation. For a betterunderstanding of the situation of Romaniancommunities we recommend the reportcovering 2006-2007, which can be accessedat www.centruldestudii.ro

Lingustics and history remain politicalinstruments on which the faith of entireminority groups depend - at least this is howit looks when it comes to Romanian groupsliving in countries neighbouring Romania.

A motion for resolution forwarded byRomanian member of the EuropeanParliament Roberta Anastase on 21September 2007 says: „Having regard to theexample of denial of the linguistic rights ofthe Romanian minorities in several Councilof Europe member states, which constitutesa threat to the preservation of the Romanianlanguage; 1) deplores the fact that the rightsof national minorities, particularly theirlinguistic rights, are not fully guaranteedthroughout Europe; 2) calls upon its relevantcommittees, the Council and the Commissionto examine thoroughly the situation ofRomanian communities and respect for theirlinguistic rights in Europe and to take firmaction to promote tolerance and

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multilingvismului; 3) invit` Consiliul [iComisia s` promoveze protec]ia limbiirom=ne \n cadrul politicilor interne [iexterne ale Uniunii Europene“.

Aceast` rezolu]ie ar putea \mbun`t`]isitua]ia rom=nilor din Valea Timocului deexemplu - acolo unde autorit`]ile s=rbesus]in c` se vorbe[te o limb` „vlah`“ carenu este cuprins` \n tratatele interna]ionalesemnate de guvernul de la Belgrad, acestafiind unul din motivele pentru carerom=nilor din Valea Timocului nu le suntacordate drepturile ca minoritate na]ional`.

Centrul de Studii pentru Resurse Rom=ne[ti

BULGARIAGuvernul bulgar \i consider` \n

continuare drept „vlahi“ pe rom=nii caretr`iesc \n Bulgaria. |n continuare \n v`]` -m=ntul [i mass-media \n limba matern`pentru Rom=nii din Bulgaria sunt \ncontinuare practic inexistente. Pozi]iaGuvernului Bulgar este c` comunit`]ile derom=ni ar trebui s`-[i asigure singureeduca]ie [i mass-media \n limba rom=n`,deoarece num`rul declarat la recens`m=ntal vorbitorilor de limb` rom=n` nu estesuficient pentru a fi trata]i ca o minoritate.Av=nd \n vedere toate aceste elementeapreciem tratamentul la care este supus`comunitatea rom=neasc` din Bulgaria cafiind nesatisf`c`tor.

SERBIASerbia practic` la fel ca [i Bulgaria

\mp`r]irea comunit`]ilor vorbitoare de limb`rom=n` \n rom=ni [i vlahi. Comunit`]ile

multilingualism; 3) calls upon the Counciland Commission to promote the protection ofthe Romanian language within the EU’sinternal and external policies“.

This motion for a resolution may re -present a chance for improving the situa -tion of Romanians living in Timoc Valley -where the Serbian authorities claim that a„Vlach“ language is spoken, a language notlisted in the international treaties signed bythe Belgrade Government, this being one ofthe reasons for which Romanians living inTimoc Valley are not enjoying their rightsas a national minority.

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BULGARIABulgarian Government continues to

consider as „Vlachs“ the Romanians livingin Bulgaria. Still, virtually there is noeducation and mass-media in mother tonguefor Romanians in Bulgaria. BulgarianGovern ment says that Romanian commu -nities should ensure by themselves mass-media and education in mother tongue, dueto the fact that the number of Romaniansin statistics do not qualify them as aminority. Taking into consideration all theseelements we appreciate the treatment towhich Romanians living in Bulgaria aresubjected as being unsatisfactory.

SERBIALike Bulgaria, Serbia continues to split

the Romanian communities in Romaniansand „Vlachs“. Romanian communities re -

rom=ne[ti recunoscute ca atare beneficiaz`de un tratament corect, \ns` rom=nii dinValea Timocului, desemna]i ca vlahi \ncontinuare nu se bucur` de drepturile uneiminorit`]i. Astfel sunt limitate accesul laeduca]ie \n limba matern`, la religie \nlimba matern` ca [i mass-media \n limbamatern`. Un element nou pentru perioada2007-2008 este cre[terea num`rului deac]iuni \mpotriva rom=nilor din Serbia denord-est. Tratamentul la care sunt supusecomunit`]ile rom=ne[ti din Serbia poate fiapreciat ca fiind nesatisf`c`tor.

UCRAINAAcela[i model al \mp`r]irii comunit`]ii

rom=ne[ti poate fi g`sit [i \n Ucraina, undeautorit`]ile de la Kiev consider` c` exist`rom=ni [i „moldoveni“ - ca fiind dou` etniidiferite cu limbi diferite. |n perioada 2007-2008 Ministerul ucrainean al Educa]iei apromovat o serie de noi reglement`ri carerestr=ng folosirea limbii rom=ne \n [coliledin comunit`]ile rom=ne[ti. De asemenea afost continuat` practica transform`rii [colilorrom=ne[ti \n [coli mixte. Tratamentul lacare sunt supuse comunit`]ile rom=ne[ti dinUcraina poate fi apreciat ca fiindnesatisf`c`tor.

UNGARIA|n general Ungaria respect` standardele

recunoscute la nivel european \ntratamentul minorit`]ilor. Comunitatearom=neasc` din aceast` ]ar`, restr=ns` canum`r, beneficiaz` de un tratament corectdin partea autorit`]ilor. Trebuie men]ionatfaptul c` \n septembrie 2007 s-au produsmanifest`ri anti-rom=ne[ti din parteamembrilor unei organiza]ii extremiste.

cognized as such enjoy a fair treatment, butRomanians living in Timoc Valleydesignated as Vlachs do not enjoy minorityrights. Therefore the right to education inmother tongue, the right to practicereligion in mother tongue are limitted,mass-media in mother tongue beingvirtually non-existent. A new element for2007-2008 is the increase of the number ofanti-Romanian actions in north-easternSerbia. The treatment to which Romaniancommu nities in Timoc Valley are subjectedmay be appreciated as unsatisfactory.

UKRAINEThe same pattern of splitting the

Romanian communities may be found inUkraine, where Kyiv authorities considerthat there are Romanians and „Moldovans“- as different ethnic groups with differentlanguages.During 2007-2008 UkraineMinister for Education promoted some neworders and regulations thus limitting theuse of Romanian languages in schools.Aswell, the practice of transforming Roma -nian schools in mixed schools was conti -nued. The treatment to which Romaniancommunities in Ukraine are subjected maybe appreciated as unsatisfactory.

HUNGARYGenerally speaking, Hungary respects

all standards accepted at an European levelfor minority rights. Romanian community inthis country, being a small one, enjoyes afair treatment from authorities. It is worthmentioning that in September 2007 therewas a public hostiale manifestation againstRomanians, perpetrated by members of anextremist organization.

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BULGARIA

Suprafa]`: 110.910 kilometri p`tra]iVecini: Grecia 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Rom=nia 608 km, Serbia 318km, Turcia 240 km Popula]ie: 7.322.858Distribu]ie etnic`: bulgari 83.9%, turci 9.4%, roma 4.7%, al]ii 2%(recens`m=nt 2001)Religie: Ortodoc[i bulgari 82.6%, Musul mani 12.2%, a]te confesiunicre[tine 1.2%, al]ii 4% (recens`m=nt 2001)Limbi folosite: bulgar` (limb` oficial`)84.5%, turc` 9.6%, roma 4.1%, altele1.8% (recens`m=nt 2001)

n Demografie

Conform primul recens`m=nt alpopula]iei din 1905 \n Bulgaria tr`iau80.000 de rom=ni, aceea[i cifr` ap`r=nd[i \n 1910. |n 1920 recens`m=ntul \nre -gistreaz` 57.312 rom=ni, iar \n 1926 -83.746 rom=ni tr`iau \n Bulgaria. Recen -s`m=ntul din 1934 a redus la maxim\nregistrarea rom=nilor: dac` \n 1926 laVidin erau \nregistra]i 42.414 rom=ni - larecens`m=ntul din 1934 au fost \nre -

BULGARIA

Area: 110,910 sq kmBorder countries: Greece 494 km,Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km,Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km Population: 7,322,858Nationality: Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%,Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Mace -donian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian)(2001 census)Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%,Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%,other 4% (2001 census) Languages: Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified1.8% (2001 census)

n Demographics

According to the first populationcensus in Bulgaria in 1905 were livingapproximately 80.000 Romanians, thesame figure being recorded in 1910. In1920 the population census recorded57.312 Romanians living in Bulgaria; in1926 - 83.746. The population census in1934 drastically reduced the number ofRomanians: in 1926 only in Vidin wererecorded 42.414 Romanians - while in

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gistra]i doar 1.213. Ultima men]iuneoficial` a rom=nilor \n documentele bul -gare datez` din 1965 c=nd au fost\nregistra]i doar 6.000.

Ultimul recens`m=nt, din 2001, nucuprinde categoria rom=ni. Trebuie sem -nalat faptul c` la acest recens`m=nt aufost \nregistra]i 156.119 cet`]eni lacategoriile „al]ii“ (69.204), „f`r` etnie“(62.108) [i „necunoscut`“ (24.807). |nlipsa unor cifre oficiale organiza]iile ne -gu vernamentale ale rom=nilor dinBulgaria afirm` c` \n 35 de sate dinzona Vidinului exist` popula]ie vorbitoarede limb` rom=n` - cifra real` este su -pus` impreciziei \n lipsa unui recen -s`m=nt.

n Disputa rom=ni-vlahi

|n cursul anului 2007 \ntre UniuneaTinerilor Etnici Rom=ni din BulgariaAVE [i Guvernul Bulgariei a avut loc unschimb de scrisori cu privire la res -pectarea drepturilor minorit`]ii rom=ne.R`spunsul Guvernului Bulgar reflect` celmai bine atitudinea fa]` de minoritatearom=n` [i problemele ei1.

La fel ca \n cazul Ucrainei [i Serbiei,Bulgaria refuz` s` accepte existen]a uneiminorit`]i rom=ne[ti sus]in=nd \n schimbexisten]a unui grup etnic „vlah“ vorbitorde „limb` vlah`“ - de[i \n textul transmisde Guvernul de la Sofia apar contradic]iifa]` de aceast` tez`. Astfel GuvernulBulgariei afirm` c`: „Ministerul Culturiisus]ine c` nu exist` popula]ie rom= -neasc`, doar reprezentan]i ai vlahilor [iarom=nilor care se identific` astfel, \ns`vorbesc un dialect necunoscut amestecatcu cuvinte bulgare; aceast` comunitateeste foarte mic` [i r`sp=ndit` pe totteritoriul Bulgariei“. |ntr-un alt paragrafse arat` c`: „Tr`g=nd concluzii din

1934 a mere 1.213 were recorded. Thelast official recording of Romanians inBulgaria dates back to 1965, when only6.000 were registered.

The most recent census from 2001does not have a category for Romanians.It is worth to mention that during thiscensus 156.119 citizens were recordedas: „others“ (69.204); „without ethniciden tity“ (62.108); „unknown ethnic iden -tity“ (24.807). Lacking official numbers,non-governmental organi zations of Ro -manians in Bulgaria assert that in 35villages in district of Vidin there is asignificant Romanian language speakingpopulation - but the real num ber isprone to imprecision.

n Romanians-Vlachs dispute

During 2007 an exchange of letterstook place between the Union of theYoung Romanian Ethnics in Bulgaria„AVE“ and the Government of Bulgariaconcerning the way the minority rightsof Romanian are respected. The answerof the Bulgarian Government reflects it’sattitude towards the Romanian minorityand it’s problems1.

Sharing the same stance withUkraine and Serbia, Bulgaria refuses toaccept the very existence of a Romanianminority group, supporting instead theexistence of a „Vlach“ ethnic group,speaking a „Vlach language“ - even thatthe letter of the Bulgarian Governmentcontains some inconsistencies. Thus, theGovernment of Bulgaria asserts that:„The Ministry of Culture sustains thatthere is no Romanian population, onlyrepresentatives of Vlachs and Aroma -nians identigying themselves as Roma -nians, but they speak an unknowndialect mixed with Bulgarian words; this

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termenul folosit \n scrisoarea dumnea -voastr`, vlahi \nseamn` rom=ni; exper]iiconsider` c` asemenea egalitate \ntre ceidoi termeni nu este corect`, mai corecteste s` se spun` c` sunt vorbitori delimb` rom=n`“.

Guvernul Bulgariei a refuzat s`acorde rom=nilor statutul de minoritatena]ional` \n baza urm`torului ra]io -nament: „Se apreciaz` c` semneleprincipale de minoritate etnica sunt: 1)S` populeze \n permanen]` teritoriulunui stat [i s` fie cet`]eni ai lui - \ncazul acesta a[a zisa popula]ie vlah`\ndepline[te aceast` cerin]`; 2) s` aib`religie diferit` de religia statului unde seg`sesc - \n cazul acesta vlahii suntortodoc[i [i anume au aceea[i apar -tenen]` religioas` ca [i marea parte apopula]iei din Bulgaria. Cerin]a pentruslujba divin` \n limba matern` nu estelipsit` de baz`, dar de fapt conformConstitu]iei Bulgariei, ei au posibilitateas` practice ortodoxismul \n Bulgarialiber, f`r` nici o restric]ie 3) s` fiesuficient reprezenta]i \n stat sau \ntr-oregiune anume, prin reprezentan]i\n]eleg=ndu-se num`rul membrilor uneiminoritati. Este greu s` se g`seasc` uncriteriu ce \nseamn` suficient reprezen -tativi [i de aceea, s-a convenit o parteprocentual` a unei comunit`]i minoritare\n compara]ie cu num`rul cet`]enilor dinstat - \n acest sens conform statisticilorvlahii din Bulgaria nu \ndeplinesc crite -riul pentru a fi minoritate na]ional`“.

n Educa]ia \n limba matern`

Legisla]ia Bulgariei ar permite \nv` -]`m=ntul \n limba rom=n` pentru comu -

community is very small and spreadedall over the Bulgarian territory“. In ano -ther phrase it is said that „Concludingfrom the terms used in your letter,‘Vlachs’ means ‘Romanians’; the expertsconsider that such an equality is notcorrect; a better way is to say that theyare Romanian language speakers“.

Bulgarian Government refuses torecognize Romanians as an ethnicminority arguing that: „It is agreed thatthe main characteristics for an ethnicminority are as follows: 1) to per -manently inhabit a certain territory of astate and be it’s citizens - in this casethe so called Vlach population fullfilsthis requirement; 2) to practice adifferent religion from that of the statein which they reside - in this case theVlachs are Orthodox, respectively theyshare the same religious denominationwith that of the majority of theBulgarian population, asking for divineservice in mother tongue is not lackinga basis, but actually, according to theBulgarian Constitution they have thepossibility to freely practice theOrthodox faith, with no restriction; 3) tobe sufficiently represented in a state orspecific region, by representation beingunderstood the number of the membersof a minority. It is difficult to findcriteria on what sufficiently representedmeans and thus it was convened for aprocentual quota compared to the totalnumber of citizens - in this respect,according to statistics, Vlachs inBulgaria do not fullfil this requirementin order to be a national minority“.

n Mother tongue education

Bulgarian legislation would allow edu -cation in Romanian language for Roma -

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nit`]ile rom=ne[ti \ns` din p`cate acestlucru nu s-a \nt=mplat p=n` acum cusprijinul autorit`]ilor bulgare. Consti tu]iaBulgariei prevede la art 36 - 2 c`„cet`]enii a c`ror limb` matern` nu estebulgara au dreptul s` studieze \n [i s`foloseasc` propria limb` al`turi destudiul obligatoriu al limbii bulgare“. Deasemenea, Legea |nv`]`m=ntului afirm`la articolul 8 - 2 c` „Elevii a c`ror limb`matern` nu este bulgara, pe l=ng`studiul obligatoriu al limbii bulgare, audreptul s` studieze \n limba lor matern`\n afara [colii de stat din RepublicaBulgaria sub protec]ia [i controlulstatului“. Singura institu]ie care asigur`predarea unor ore \n limba rom=n` esteLiceul Rom=nesc din Sofia, cu dou` orede limb` pe s`t`m=n` av=nd statutul delimb` str`in`.

|n ciuda acestor prevederi legale nuexist` o form` continu` de predare alimbii rom=ne pentru cet`]enii bulgari deorigine rom=n`. La ini]iativa orga -niza]iilor neguvernamentale ale rom=nilordin Bulgaria au fost \nfiin]ate c=tevacursuri de predare a limbii rom=ne \nafara programei [colare - cum ar fi cazul[colii generale „P.R. Slaveicov“ din Vidin.Alte \ncerc`ri de deschidere a unorcursuri private de limba rom=n` suntsporadice [i neregulate, \n func]ie desprijinul material venit din Rom=nia.

n Mass-media \n limba matern`

Legisla]ia bulgar` permite existen]apresei \n limba matern` a minorit`]ilorna]ionale - articolul 12 al Legii radioului[i televiziunii arat` c`: „Programele radio[i de televiziune vor fi emise \n limba

nian communities - unfortunately thishas not happened with the support ofthe Bulgarian authorities. BulgarianConstitution states in art. 36 - 2 that:„Citizens whose mother tongue is notBulgarian shall have the right to studyand use their own language alongsidethe compulsory study of the Bulgarianlanguage“. The Bulgarian Education Lawstates in art 8-2 that: „Pupils whosemother tongue is not Bulgarian, besidesthe compulsory study of the Bulgarianlanguage, shall have the right to studytheir own mother tongue outside thestate school in the Republic of Bulgariaunder the protection and control of thestate“.

The only institution to ensure someclasses in Romanian language is the socalled „Romanian Highschool“ in Sofia -were are taught only 2 hours a week ofRomanian language, having the status offoreign language. In spite of the abovementioned legal provisions there is nocontinuous form of teaching Romanianlanguage for Bulgarian citizens ofRomanian orgin. An initiative ofRomanian NGO’s put into practice a fewRomanian language classes —butoutside of the official curricula - forexample at the elementary school „P. R.Slaveicov“ in Vidin. Still, there is a po -sibility for Romanian etnics fromBulgaria to studyin Romania due tosome scholarships offered by Romaniangovernment.

n Mass-media in mother tongue

Bulgarian legislation allows mass-media in minority languages - accordingto the Law on Radio and Television, Art.12: „The programmes of radio andtelevision broadcasters may be trans -

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oficial` \n conformitate cu Constitu]iaBulgariei [i pot fi transmise \n alt` limb`dac` (...) sunt destinate cet`]enilorbulgari a c`ror limb` matern` nu estebulgara“. La articolul 49 al aceleia[i legise arat` c`: „Radioul [i televisiuneana]ional` bulgare vor produce programena]ionale [i regionale (...), programeadresate cet`]enilor a c`ror limb`matern` nu este bulgara, inclusiv \nlimba lor matern`“. |n ciuda acestorprevederi legale, \n Bulgaria nu exist`programe de radio sau de televiziune \nlimba rom=n` destinate comunit`]ilorrom=ne[ti.

|ncep=nd cu anul 1993 la Vidina ap`rut ziarul \n limba rom=n` „Timpul“,care a avut o apari]ie neregulat` datorit`lipsei fondurilor, fiind un proiect al Aso -cia]iei Vlahilor din Bulgaria. |n prezentla Vidin mai apare \n limba rom=n` re -vista „AVE“ editat` de Uniunea EtnicilorRom=ni din Bulgaria - av=nd [i ea oapari]ie neregulat` din acelea[i motive.

n Activitatea organiza]iilorneguvernamentale

|n Bulgaria func]ioneaz` mai multeorganiza]ii neguvernamentale ale rom= -nilor. |n luna octombrie 1991 s-aconstituit Comitetul de ini]iativ` pentru\nfiin]area „Asocia]iei Vlahilor dinBulgaria“ (A.V.B.). Ini]ial autorit`]ile bul -gare au refuzat \nregistrarea acesteiasocia]ii, \nregistrare care s-a produstotu[i \n urma unui proces la 30 aprilie1992. |ncerc`rile de constituire de filialeale asocia]iei \n alte localit`]i sau de apune bazele unor structuri organizatoricelocale, au generat iritarea [i adversitateaautorit`]ilor bulgare care, \n modconstant [i consecvent, au tergiversatformalit`]ile legale. |ncep=nd cu anul

mitted in another language where: 1.they are transmitted for educationalpurposes; 2. they are intended forBulgarian nationals whose motherlanguage is not Bulgarian“. In spite ofthis, in Bulgaria there are no radio orTV programms in Romanian languagefor the Romanian communities. Beginingwith 1993 in Vidin was published theRomanian language newspaper „Timpul“,as a project of the Vlachs Association ofBulgaria, being issued irregularly due tolack of funding. Presently in Vidin thereis another Romanian language pu -blication - „AVE“ - a project of UniuneaEtnicilor Rom=ni din Bulgaria - sufferingfrom inssuficient funding aswell.

n NGO’s activity

In Bulgaria are active a few Ro -manian NGO’s. In Octomber 1991 cameinto being the Committee for foundingVlach Association from Bulgaria(A.V.B.). Initially, Bulgarian authoritiesrefused to register this association -registration that occured although aftera trial on 30 April 1992. Attempts toestablish branches of this NGO in othercommunities were met with hostilityfrom local authorities who were constan -tly trying to delay the bureaucraticprocedures.

Starting with 2002 a new associationwas founded for Romanians in Bulgaria,named „Comunitatea Rom=nilor din

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2002 a fost \nfiin]at` o nou` asocia]ie arom=nilor din Bulgaria, denumit` „Co -munitatea rom=nilor din Bulgaria“.

De asemenea \n anul 2003 a fost\nfiin]at` Uniunea Etnicilor Rom=ni dinBulgaria AVE. Asocia]iile rom=ne[ti dinBulgaria organizeaz` anual un festival dedansuri populare la Vidin.

n Ac]iuni anti-rom=ne[ti

|n luna martie 2008, pre[edintele Uni -unii Tinerilor Etnici Rom=ni din Bulgaria„AVE“, Ivo Gheorghiev a constatatd`r=marea monumentului osta[ilorrom=ni din comuna Arcear. Monumentulera \nchinat solda]ilor rom=ni care auluptat pentru eliberarea Bulgariei de subImperiul Otoman \n r`zboiul din 1877-1878. Ivo Gheorghiev a depus o pl=n -gere cu privire la acest caz f`r` s`ob]in` nici un rezultat.

Bulgaria“ (Romanians Community inBulgaria). Aswell, in 2003 was foundedUniunea Etnicilor Rom=ni din Bulgaria -AVE (Union of Romanian Ethnics inBulgaria). This association adressed inMay this year a letter to the Council ofEurope and European Commission, pre -senting the various aspects of Bulgarianstate neglegting minority rights. Roma -nian associations in Bulgaria have anyearly traditional dancing festival inVidin that celebrated his tenth edition in2007.

n Anti-Romanian actions

In March 2008, the president of theUnion of the Young Romanian Ethnicsin Bulgaria „AVE“, Ivo Gheorghiev foundout that the Romanian soldiers mo -nument in Arcear village was destroyed.The monument was raised to honourthe Romanian soldiers that fought tofree Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empirein the 1877-1878 war. Ivo Gheorghievfilled a complaint on this case, but noresults followed.

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SERBIA

Suprafa]`: 88.361 kilometri p`tra]iVecini: Albania 115 km, Bosnia [iHer]egovina 302 km, Bulgaria 318 km,Croa]ia 241 km, Ungaria 151 km,Macedonia 221 km, Muntenegru 203km, Rom=nia 476 kmPopula]ie: 10.150.265Distribu]ie etnic`: s=rbi 82.9%, unguri3.9%, roma 1.4%, yugoslavi 1.1%,bosnieci 1.8%, muntenegreni 0.9%, al]ii8% (recens`m=nt 2002)Religii: Ortodoc[i s=rbi 85%, Catolici5.5%, Protestan]i 1.1%, Musulmani 3.2%,nespecificat` 2.6%, altele 2.6%(recens`m=nt 2002)Limbi folosite: s=rb` 88.3% (limb`oficial`), maghiar` 3.8%, bosniac` 1.8%,romanes 1.1%, altele 4.1% (recens`m=nt2002). Not`: limbile rom=n`, maghiar`,slovac`, ucrainean` [i croat` suntoficiale \n provincia Voivodina, limbaalbanez` \n provincia Kosovo

SERBIA

Area: 88,361 sq kmBorder countries: Albania 115 km,Bosnia and Herzegovina 302 km,Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km,Hungary 151 km, Macedonia 221 km,Montenegro 203 km, Romania 476 kmPopulation: 10,150,265Nationality: Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%,Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%,Bosniaks 1.8%, Montenegrin 0.9%, other8% (2002 census)Religions: Serbian Orthodox 85%,Catholic 5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim3.2%, unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown,or atheist 2.6% (2002 census)Languages: Serbian 88.3% (official),Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany(Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown0.9% (2002 census) Note: Romanian,Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, andCroatian all official in Vojvodina;Albanian official in Kosovo

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n Demografie

Rom=nii din Serbia au fost \n modinten]ionat \mp`r]i]i de autorit`]ile s=rbe\n dou` grupuri: rom=nii din Voivodina(sau Banatul s=rbesc) - c`rora le-a fostrecunoscut` identitatea de rom=ni - [irom=nii din Valea Timocului (sau rom=niidin Serbia r`s`ritean`) care au fost \npermanen]` desemna]i de autorit`]i subnumele de vlahi. Siversele statistici [iaprecieri din cursul secolului al XIX leaau afirmat existen]a \n Serbia a unuinum`r \ntre 120.000 [i 250.000 derom=ni. Vom prezenta evolu]ia demo -grafic` a celor dou` comunit`]i a[a cuma fost ea \nregistrat` de autorit`]ile s=rbe.

n Rom=nii din Voivodina

Conform primului recens`m=ntiugoslav din 1921 \n Voivodina tr`iau67.897 de rom=ni, \n 1931 - 78.000; 1948- 59.263; 1953 - 57.218; 1961 - 57.258;1971 - 52.987; 1981 - 47.289; 1991 -38.832; 2002 - 30.520

n Rom=nii din Valea Timocului

|n statisticile oficiale ace[tia au fost\nregistra]i ca vlahi - iar \n unelestatistici se remarc` faptul c` num`rulvorbitorilor de limb` rom=n` [i care s-audeclarat de etnie s=rb` este cu mult maimare dec=t al celor care s-au declaratvlahi (rom=ni). Astfel \n 1921 \n ValeaTimocului au fost \nregistra]i 159.549rom=ni; 1931 - 57.000; la recen s`m=ntuldin 1948 nu au fost lua]i \n calcul dec=trom=nii din Voivodina; \n 1953 - 198.793vorbitori de limb` rom=n` [i doar 29.000de rom=ni; \n 1961 au fost \nregistra]i1.330 rom=ni; \n 1971 iar nu au fost\nregistra]i; \n 1981 - 135.000 vorbitori de

n Demographics

Romanians living in Serbia were in -tentionally splited by Serbian authoritiesin two groups: Romanians living inVojvodina (or Serbian Banat) - that wereofficially recognized as Romanians - andRomanians living in Timok Valley (orfrom Eastern Serbia) permanentlytreated by Serbian authorities as Vlachs.All statistics and censuses from XIXthcentury recorded in Serbia a number ofRomanians ranging from 120.000 up to250.000.

n Romanians in Vojvodina

According to the first Yugoslaviancensus from 1921 in Vojvodina lived67.897 Romanians; in 1931 - 78.000; 1948- 59263; 1953 - 57.218; 1961 - 57.258;1971 - 52.987; 1981 - 47.289; 1991 -38.832; 2002 - 30.520.

n Romanians in Timok Valley

Romanians living in Timok Valleywere registered as Vlachs - but in somestatistics one can see that the numberof Romanian language speakers thatwere registered with Serbian ethnicidentity is much higher than that ofthose registered as Vlachs. In 1921 inTimok Valley were registered 159.549Romanians; in 1931 - 57.000; during thecensus of 1948 only Romanians living inVojvodina were registered; in 1953 wereregistered 198.793 Romanian languagespeakers and only 29.000 Romanians; in1981 - 135.000 Romanian languagespeakers but there was no category for

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limb` rom=n`, f`r` a fi \nregistrat` [icategoria; 1991 - 71.536 vorbitori delimb` rom=n` [i doar 16.539 rom=ni; \n2002 - 59.729 vorbitori de limb` rom=n`[i 44.110 rom=ni.

n Raportul Herrmann

Situa]ia rom=nilor din Serbia a fostdescris` cel mai bine \n cursul anului20082 de parlamentarul german JurgenHerrmann \n calitate de raportor pentruAdunarea Parlamentar` a ConsiliuluiEuropei. Raportul lui Jurgen Herrmann afost publicat \n martie 20082, constituindurmarea mo]iunii depuse de par -lamentarul Vlad Cubreacov din RepublicaMoldova. Jurgen Herrmann a efectuatdou` vizite de documentare \n Serbia: pe27-28 septembrie 2006 [i 26-27 sep -tembrie 2007. Raportul amintit re zum`principalele probleme ale comu nit`]iirom=nilor din Valea Timocului.

Principala problem` este reprezentat`de faptul c` \n ciuda declara]iilor politicede prietenie [i colaborare f`cute depre[edintele Rom=niei Traian B`sescu [icel al Serbiei Boris Tadici, la nivelpractic nu se \ntreprind nici un fel dem`suri pentru \mbun`t`]irea situa]ieirom=nilor din Valea Timocului. JurgenHerrmann constat` c`: „Rela]iile dintreRom=nia [i Serbia sunt guvernate dedou` texte: un tratat de prietenie [icooperare (semnat pe 16 mai 1996) [iun acord bilateral asupra cooper`rii \ndomeniul protec]iei minorit`]ilor na -]ionale. Raportorul a fost informat c`aplicarea acestor texte este nesatis -f`c`toare. Ministrul rom=n al AfacerilorExterne a vizitat Serbia [i a solicitat\ntrunirea unei comisii comune inter -guvernamentale pentru minorit`]i na]io -nale, prev`zut` \n articolul 11 al

Romanian ethnicity; in 1991 were re -gistered 71.536 Romanian language spea -kers and only 16.539 Romanians; in 2002were registered 59.729 Romanian lan -guage speakers and 44.110 Romanians.

n Herrmann Report

The status of Romanians in Serbiawas best described during 20082 by theGerman Member of the ParliamentJurgen Herrmann, rapporteur for theParliamentary Assembly of the Councilof Europe. Jurgen Herrmann’s draftreport was made public in march 2008,being compiled following the motion fora resolution forwarded by Vlad Cu -breacov, Member of the Parliament ofthe Republic of Moldova. Jurgen Her -rmann visited Serbia on two occasions:dureing 27-28 September 2006 andduring 26-27 September 2007. Theaforementioned report resumes the mainproblems of the Romanian community inTimok Valley.

The main issue remains the fact thatin spite all pollitical statements offriendship and cooperation made byRomanian President Traian B`sescu andSerbian President Boris Tadic, at apractical level there are no initiatives toimprove the situation of Romanians inTimok Valley. Jurgen Herrmann foundout that: „Two texts principally governrelations between Serbia and Romania: atreaty of friendship, cooperation andgood neighbourhood between Romaniaand Serbia (signed on 16 May 1996) anda bilateral agreement between thegovernment of Romania and the FederalGovernment of the Republic ofYugoslavia an co-operation in the field ofprotection of national minorities (signedon 4 November 2002). The rapporteur

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acordului. |n ciuda unui r`spuns pozitivdin partea s=rb`, comisia comun` nu s-a reunit \nc`. Raportorul \ncurajeaz` au -to rit`]ile s=rbe s` trateze aceast` pro -blem` [i s` numeasc` persoanele cali -ficate pentru a participa la aceast`comisie interguvernamental`“.

Problemele comunit`]ii rom=nilor dinnord-estul Serbiei sunt rezumate \nfinalul raportului Herrmann care solicit`autorit`]ilor s=rbe „s` \ntreprind` m` -surile necesare pentru asigurarea vla -hilor/rom=nilor care tr`iesc \n Serbia deest (v`ile Timocului, Moravei [i Dunarii)accesul la educa]ie, mass-media [i admi -nistra]ie public` \n limba lor matern` [is` li se permit` ]inerea serviciuluireligios \n aceast` limb`“

n Disputa români-vlahi

Strategia autorit`]ilor s=rbe de pro -movare a unei identit`]i „vlahe“ \n nord-estul Serbiei prin intermediul recen -s`mintelor [i a falselor studii de istoriea dat rezultate. Raportul Her rmannconstat` c` „Vlahii sunt un grup etnicprezent \n Serbia [i \n alte ]`ri\nvecinate, \nrudit cultural [i lingvistic curom=nii. Unii cred c` vlahii sunt o partea minorit`]ii rom=ne[ti, al]ii c` sunt ominoritate separat`. Faptul c` vlahii s-auorganizat separat de minoritatea rom=n`fond=nd propriul Consiliu pentru mino -

has been informed that the implemen -tation of these texts is unsatisfactory.The Minister for Foreign Affaiers ofRomania has visitd Serbia and requestedthe convening of the joint intergo -vernamental commission for nationalminorities provided for in Article 11 ofthe bilateral agreement, whose missionis to further the implementation of theagreement. Despite a positive responsefrom the Serbia authorities to thisrequest, the joint intergovernmental com -mission has still not met. The rapporteurstrongly encourages the Serbianauthorities to address the issue andappoint persons qualified to sit on thejoint intergovernmental commissions“.

The problems Romanians communityin Serbia is facing are summarized atthe end of the Herrmann Report askingthe Serbian authorities „to take thenecessary measures in order to providefor the Vlachs/Romanians living inEastern Serbia (the Timoc, Morava andDanube valleys) access to education, themedia and public administration in theirmother tongue and allow them to holdreligious services in that language“.

n Romanians-Vlachs dispute

The Serbian authorities’ strategy topromote a „Vlach“ identity in north-eastern Serbia through population cen -suses and false historical and linguisticstudies had a result. Herrmann Reportfounds out that „Vlachs are an ethnicgroup present in Serbia and otheradjacent coutries, culturally andlinguistically related to the Romanians.Some believe that the Vlachs are partand parcel of the Romanian minority,others that they are a separate minority.The fact that the Vlachs have organised

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ritatea vlah` arat` c` unii dintre vlahi nuse consider` ca apar]in=nd minorit`]iirom=ne[ti“. |n ceea ce prive[te limbavorbit` \n nord-estul Serbiei RaportulHerrmann constat`: „Limba este unsubiect asupra c`ruia se ciocnesc dife -ritele sensibilit`]i ale minorit`]ii rom=ne.Unii consider` c` limba vlah` nu are oform` scris`, singura limb` scris`comun` minorit`]ii etnice rom=ne[ti fiindrom=na literar`. Ei v`d acest lucru cafiind o dovad` a faptului c` vlahii suntmembri ai minorit`]ii rom=ne[ti. Al]ii\ncearc` s` codifice limba vlah` pentrua afirma independen]a minorit`]ii [ispecificul ei“.

Dezbaterea asupra identit`]iilingvistice, chiar dac` pare a fi una [tiin -]ific` are consecin]e politice [i practiceimmediate, dup` cum se va vedea \ncontinuare.

n Libertatea religioas`

Raportul Herrmann constat` c` ser -viciul religios \n limba rom=n` \n ValeaTimocului este \mpiedicat de BisericaOrtodox` S=rb`: „|n ceea ce prive[teposibilitatea practic` de a participa laslujbe conform cu liturghia rom=n` orto -dox` [i \n limba vlah`/rom=n`, situa]iaeste foarte inegal`, depinz=nd deregiunea luat` \n considerare. Rom=niicare tr`iesc \n Voivodina nu au nici oproblem` \n a participa al slujbe ]inuteconform cu liturghia rom=n` ortodox` [i\n limba lor matern`. Situa]ia este multmai complex` pentru membrii minorit`]iirom=ne sau vlahe din Serbia de est.Pare s` fie posibil` periodic \n anumitesate, \ns` nu \n mod regulat. Mai mult,orice \ncercare nou` de a ]ine o slujb`conform cu liturghia rom=n` ortodox`\ntr-o localitate din Serbia de est este

themselves independently from theRomanian minority by founding theirown Council for the Vlach nationalminority shows that some of the Vlachsdo not regard themselves as belongingto the Romanian minority“. As far as thelanguage spoken in north-eastern Serbiais concerned, Herrmann Report states:„Language is a subject on which thedifferent sensibilities of the ‘Romanian’ethnic minority clash. Some considerthat since the Vlach language has nowritten form , the only written languagecommon to the Romanian ethnicminority is literary Romanian. They seethis as evidence that the Vlachs aremembers of the Romanian minority.Others, however, are making attempts tocodify the Vlach language in order toassert this minority’s independencee anddstinctiveness a little more strongly“

n Religious freedom

Herrmann Report asserts that rhedivine service in Romanian language inTimoc Valley is blocked by the SerbianOrthodox Church: „As to the practicalpossibility of attending a mass accordingto Romanian Orthodox liturgy and inVlach/Romanian, the situation is veryuneven depending on the regionconsidered. «Romanians» living inVojvodina have no trouble attending amass celebrated according to RomanianOrthodox liturgy and in their mothertongue. The position is more complexfor the members of the Romanian orVlach minority dwelling in easternSerbia. It would appear to be possible attimes in certain villages, but notconsistently so. Moreover, any freshattempt to hold a mass according toRomanian Orthodox liturgy in a locality

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supus` unor presiuni puternice [i unorreac]ii ostile. Raportorul solicit` auto -rit`]ilor s=rbe s` coopereze cu repre -zentan]ii celor dou` biserici pentru ag`si o solu]ie practic` prin care liber -tatea religiei s` devin` o realitate [i \nSerbia de est. Pare necesar` luarea \nconsiderare a a acord`rii unui loc pentruBiserica Ortodox` Rom=n`, de exempluprin extinderea jurisdic]iei teritoriale adiocezei Dacia Felix“.

n Folosirea limbii rom=ne \n administra]ie, educa]ie [i mass-media

Raportul Herrmann constat` c` \m -p`r]irea minorit`]ii rom=ne \n „vlahi“ [i„rom=ni“ ca [i men]inerea ambiguit`]ii lanivel oficial asupra limbii vorbite \n nord-estul Serbiei duce la blocarea ini]iativelorde folosire a limbii materne de c`trerom=nii din Valea Timocului \n admi -nistra]ie, educa]ie [i mass-media: „Exist`relat`ri c` limba vlah` nu este folosit` \nadministra]iile locale \n localit`]ile undemembrii acestei minorit`]i reprezint`peste 15% din popula]ie. Aceast` pro -por]ie de 15% este prescris` de legisla]iana]ional` pentru ca folosirea limbii \nadministra]ie s` fie admisibil`. Limbavlah` nu este una din limbile minoritarepentru care Serbia [i-a luat un anga -jament \n concordan]` cu Carta LimbilorMinoritare. Raportorul consi der` necesars` reaminteasc` faptul c` anumite pre -vederi ale Cartei se aplic` tuturorlimbilor minoritare, inclusiv celor carenu sunt men]ionate \n instrumentulratific`rii. Problema educa]iei \n limbaminoritar` prezint` dou` aspecte: pe deo parte abia este posibil` predarea \nlimba vlah` deoarece aceasta este \n

of eastern Serbia is allegedly subjectedto strong pressure and hostile reactions.The rapporteur urges the Serbian autho -rities to co-operate with the represen -tatives of the two churches in finding apractical solution whereby freedom ofreligion is made a reality in easternSerbia too. It seems necessary to thinkabout the possibility of granting a see tothe Romanian Orthodox Church, forinstance by extending the territorialjurisdiction of the Dacia Felix diocese“.

n Mother tongue in administration,education and mass-media

Herrmann Report shows that splittingthe Romanian minority in „Vlachs“ and„Romanians“, as well as maintainingambiguity at an official level on the lan -guage spoken in north-eastern Serbiablocks all initiatives to use mothertongue of Romanians in Timoc Valley inadministration, education and mass-media: „It has been reported that theuse of the Vlach language in localadministration is not even entrenched inlocalities where the members of thisminority represent over 15% of thepopulation. This 15% proportion isprescribed by the national legislation forthe use of a language in administrationto be permissible. Now, the Vlachlanguage is not one of the minoritylanguages on which Serbia has made anundertaking in accordance with theCharter for Regional or Minority Lan -guages. Indeed, the rapporteur considersit necessary to recall that certain of theCharter’s provisions apply to all minoritylanguages including those not mentionedin the instrument of ratification. Theproblem of education in the minority

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principiu o limb` oral`, pe de alt` partenu exist` foarte mul]i profesori califica]icare s` predea \n rom=n`. (...) Conforminforma]iilor primite de raportor, \n maimulte ocazii membri ai minorit`]iivlahe/rom=ne[ti au str=ns semn`turi peo peti]ie cer=nd asigurarea educa]iei \nlimba lor, f`r` s` aib` succes“.

Aceia[i problem` provocat` deambiguitatea oficial` asupra limbiivorbite de rom=nii din Valea Timoculuise reg`se[te [i \n privin]a mass-media:„|n ceea ce prive[te mass-media, mem -brii minorit`]ii rom=ne/vlahe din Serbiade est se afl` \n mod clar \n dezavantajfa]` de cei care tr`iesc \n Voivodina.Autorit`]ile au indicat faptul c` obliga]iadin cadrul Cartei pentru limbileregionale sau minoritare de a avea mass-media tip`rit` \n limbile minoritare nu seaplic` pentru limba vlah` deoareceaceasta nu a fost inclus` de Serbia \ninstrumentul de ratificare“. Deoarece \nVoivodina exist` mass-media \n limbarom=n`, Raportul Herrmann cere extin -derea programelor de radio [i televiziunede aici [i \n Valea Timocului.

n Rom=ni \n administra]ia local`

Pe 10 septembrie 2008, PredragBala[evici, pre[edintele Partiei Demo -crate a Rum=nilor din Serbia, a fost alespre[edinte al Consiliului Local al raio -nului Bor - aceasta fiind cea mai \nalt`func]ie a administra]iei locale \n care seg`se[te un rom=n \n aceast` regiune3. |nurma alegerilor din 11 mai 2008 rom=niidin Serbia de nord-est au c=[tigat 13consilieri locali \n 6 raioane4. Alegerea

language is twofold: on the one hand ishardly possible to teach in Vlach as thisis an essentially oral language, andbesides there is a shortage of qualifiedteachers to teach in Romanian. (...)Accor ding to the information conveyedto the rapporteur, on several occasionsmembers of the Vlach/Romanian mino -rity have collected signatures in a pe -tition asking for instruction in their lan -guage to be provided, without success“.

The same problem provoked by theofficial ambiguity on the languagespoken by Romanians in Timoc Valley isto be found in mass-media issue:„Regarding the media, the members ofthe Romanian and/or Vlach minorityresiding in eastern Serbia are plainly ata great disavantage compared to thoseliving in Vojvodina. (...) The authoritieshave pointed out that the obligationunder the Charter for Regional orMinority Languages to have printedmedia in minority languages does notapply to Vlach which was not includedby Serbia in the instrument ofratification“. Due to the fact that inVojvodina exista mass-media in Ro -manian language, Herrmann Report asksthe radio and television programs hereto be extended in Timoc Valley.

n Romanians in local administration

On 10th of September 2008, PredragBalasevici, prezident of the RomanianDemocratic Party in Serbia was electedpresident of the Local Council of theBor county - this being the highestoffice in local administration where a Ro -manian is to be found in this region3.Following the elections from 11th May2008, Romanians in north-eastern Serbiawon 13 local counselors seats in 6

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lui Predrag Bala[evici \n func]ia depre[edinte al Consiliului Local Bor a fostposibil` prin alian]a cu PartidulDemocrat al pre[edintelui Boris Tadici.„Preluarea acestei func]ii este o victoriea rom=nilor din Timoc care astfel voravea ceva de spus \n deciziile care seiau [i care \i privesc direct. |n ComunaBor avem 12 sate din care 11 rom=ne[ti,iar \n ora[ul Bor, 50% din popula]ie suntrom=ni, iar eu voi \ncerca s` fac c=t maimult ca at=t ei c=t [i s=rbii [i celelalteetnii din comun` s` simt` c` s-a schim -bat ceva“ a declarat Predrag Bala[evicidup` alegerea sa.

n Contacte politice

|ntre 2007-2008 contactele politice lanivel \nalt dintre Rom=nia [i Serbia aucontinuat, de fiecare dat` afirm=ndu-sebunele rela]iile dintre cele dou` ]`ri. Pe27 septembrie 2007 vicepremierul s=rbBozidar Djelic a avut o \nt=lnire cu euro -parlamentarul rom=n Marian-Jean Mari -nescu, care a solicitat sprijinul s=rbepentru introducerea limbii rom=ne \n[colile din Valea Timocului5.

Pe 2 august 2008 pre[edinteleRom=niei Traian B`sescu a efectuat o adoua vizit` \n Serbia, unde s-a \nt=lnit cupre[edintele s=rb Boris Tadici. B`sescus-a mai \nt=lnit \n Serbia cu Tadici \nianuarie 2008, pre[edintele s=rb venindla Bucure[ti \n februarie 2008. Defiecare dat` cei doi [efi de state au ]inuts` sublinieze bunele rela]ii dintreRom=nia [i Serbia - \ns` \n ciuda acestordeclara]ii Comisia interguvernamental`pentru minorit`]i nu s-a reunit.

counties4. The election of PredragBalasevici as president of the LocalCouncil Bor was possible by an alliancewith the Democratic Party of SerbianPresident Boris Tadici. „Taking thisoffice constitutes a victory for Romaniansin Timoc, who will have a word indecisions taken which concerns themand I will try to do as much as possiblethat Romanians, Serbs and other ethnicgroups in this county to feel thatsomething has changed“, said PredragBalasevici after his election.

n Political contacts

Between 2007-2008 continued politicalcontacts at high level between Romaniaand Serbia, on every occasion beingasserted the good relations between thetwo countries. On 27th September 2007,deputy prime-minister Bosidar Djelic hada meeting with Romanian Member ofthe European Parliament Marian JeanMarinescu, who sought the support ofSerbian authorities for the use ofRomanian language in schools of TimocValley5.

On 2nd August 2008 RomanianPresident Traian B`sescu made a secondvisit in Serbia during 2008, meetingSerbian President Boris Tadici. B`sescuhad another meeting with Tadici inSerbia in January 2008, the Serbian headof state coming to Bucharest inFebruary 2008. On each of theseoccasions the two heads os statesunderlined the best relations betweenRomania and Serbia - but in spite ofthese statements the intergovernamentalcommission for national minorities stillhas not met.

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n Noi mass-media \n limba rom=n`

Agen]ia de pres` Romanian GlobalNews anun]a pe 27 iulie 2008 demarareaunui proiect al televiziunii RTV-Cladovadin Serbia de nord-est care a \nceput s`realizeze [i s` emit` programe \n limbarom=n` cu ajutorul unui proiect alMinisterului Culturii Republicii Serbia.Programele constau din emisiuni de [tiricare se pot viziona s=mb`ta [i duminicala orele 17,00 timp de 10 minute [i dinemisiuni tematice programate o dat` pelun` (duminica) \ntre orele 14,30-15,00timp de 30 de minute. |n cadrul emi -siunilor tematice jum`tate din timpulpropus va fi dedicat oaspe]ilor care vorvorbi \n direct cu moderatorul emisiunii,unde vor fi atinse probleme etnice cucare se \nt=lnesc locuitorii de na]io -nalitate rom=n` cum ar fi: limba,\nv`]`m=ntul, cultura [i alte aspecte dinvia]a lor. Cea de-a doua parte a emisiuniiva fi dedicat` reportajelor realizate \nmijlocul rom=nilor, obiceiurile [itradi]iilor lor.

Deasemenea [i la „RADIO DJERDAP“- Cladova a fost elaborat [i aprobatproiectul „Bun` ziua prieteni“. Emisiunile\n limba rom=n` au \nceput din data de01.07.2008. Zilnic de la orele 18,00 timpde zece minute sunt [tiri, iar o dat` pes`pt`m=n` (duminica) timp de o or` seemite rezumatul [tirilor. Contribu]iapentru elaborarea proiectelor amintiteapar]ine Societ`]ii Rom=nilor „ Valahilor„TRAIAN“ cu sediul \n comuna Cladova[i Biroului teritorial coordonator alCNR-ului din Cladova6.

n New mass-media in Romanian language

Press agency Romanian Global Newsannounced on 27th July 2008 thebegining of project run by RTV-Cladovatelevision in north-eastern Serbia toproduce and broadcast programs inRomanian language with support fromthe Serbian Ministry of Culture. Pro -grams broadcasted contain news,running on Saturdays and Sundays at17:00 hours for 10 minutes and featureprograms once a month on Sunday at14:30 for 30 minutes. During thesefeature programs half of the time will belive, dedicated to guest-speakers whowill discuss ethnic problems ofRomanians like: language, education,culture, etc and other problems their arefacing.

RADIO DJERDAP radio station inCladova introduced a project named„Good day friends“. Romanian languagebroadcasts began on 1st of July 2008.Begining with 18:00 hours arebroadcasted news for ten minutes inRomanian, and once a week, during anhour the news broadcasted during theweek are summarized6.

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n Ac]iuni anti-române[ti

|n perioada \nt=lnirii pre[edin]ilorB`sescu [i Tadici \n Serbia, \n ora[ulNegotin au ap`rut grafitti-uri anti-rom=ne[ti. Pe un zid din Negotin aap`rut inscrip]ia: „Serbia la s=rbi; Valahiila Rom=nia“7.

Preotul Boian Alexandrovici a fostsupus \n cursul anului 2008 la presiunidin partea Episcopiei de Timoc aBisericii Ortodoxe S=rbe. Tribunalulbisericesc al Episcopiei Ortodoxe S=rbede Timoc de la Z`iceri a formulat penumele lui, pe 26 august 2008, cincicapete de acuzare pe baza c`rora a cerutBisericii Ortodoxe S=rbe caterisirea luidin treapta preo]iei. Printre acuzele adusepreotului Boian Alexandrovici se num`r`[i ]inerea de slujbe \n limba rom=n`. |nanul 2008, pentru eforturile sale dep`strare a spiritului rom=nesc \ntr-o ]ar`slav`, Boian a fost decorat depre[edintele Traian B`sescu cu OrdinulMeritul Cultural \n grad de Comandor,medalia fiindu-i decernat` de am basadorulrom=n de la Belgrad. Biserica Ortodox`Rom=n` a catalogat gestul episcopuluis=rb Justin al Timokului drept unul deintimidare. Biserica Ortodox` S=rb` aconsiderat ilegal`, \nc` de la \nfiin]areadin 2001, Episcopia de V=r[et, pentrurom=nii din Serbia. \n aprilie 2006, caurmare a dialogului dintre cele dou`biserici, episcopia [i-a schimbat titulatura\n Dacia Felix, urm=nd s` aib` sediul laDeta [i cancelaria la V=r[e]. |n urmaproto colului, episcopia rom=neasc` urmas` asigure asisten]a spiritual` pentru ro -m=nii din Voivodina, \n timp ce BisericaOrtodox` S=rb` urma s` asigure preo]ivorbitori de limb` rom=n` pentru cei dinValea Timocului8.

O alt` ]int` a presiunilor a fost

n Anti-Romanian actions

During the meeting of PresidentB`sescu and President Tadici in Serbia,in the city of Negotin anti-Romaniangrafitti appeared. On a wall in Negotinwas written „Serbia for serbs - Vlachs toRomania“7.

Reverend Boian Alexandrovici wassubjected to pressures from the TimocBishopry of the Serbian OrthodoxChurch. Church Court of the SerbianOrthodox Bishopry of Timoc in Zaicearaccused reverend Boian Alexandrovicion five accounts, urging the SerbianOrthodox Church to depose him frompriesthood. Ona account on BoianAlexandrovici was accused is celebratingmessa in Romanian language. In August2008, for his efforts to preserve Roma -nian spirit in a Slav country, BoianAlexandrovici was decorated by Pre -sident Traian B`sescu with the Order ofCultural Merit. Romanian OrthodoxChurch appreciated the initiative of theTimoc Bishopry as one of intimmidation.The Serbian Orthodox Church consi -derred illegal the foundation of theRomanian Bishopry of V=r[e]. In april2006, following the dialogue between thetwo churches, Romanian Bishoprychanged it’s name as Dacia Felix, havingit’s seat in Deta and it’s chancellery inV=r[e]. According to this understanding,Dacia Felix Bishopry should haveprovide for Romanians in Vojvodina,while the Serbian Orthodox Churchshould have ensured Romanian speakingpriests for Romanians in Timoc Valley -something that never happened8.

Another target for pressures wasDu[an P=rvulovici, director fo theFederation of Romanians in Serbia. In arequest for support adressed to inter -

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Du[an P=rvulovici, directorul Federa]ieiRom=nilor din Serbia. |ntr-un apel deajutor adresat organiza]iilor interna]ionaleacesta s-a pl=ns de actiunile serviciilorsecrete s=rbe \mpotriva sa [i a familieisale dar [i a organiza]iei pe care oconduce. P=rvulovici a ar`tat c` sec]iadin Negotin a Agen]iei Informative [i deSecuritate (BIA) dispunea de copiadocumenta]iei financiare a Federa]ieiRom=nilor din Serbia, care se g`sea \noriginal la Direc]ia Fiscal` din Negotin.De asemenea, directorul Agen]ieiInformative [i de Securitate din Negotina chemat-o la o convorbire pe contabilaFedera]iei Rom=nilor din Serbia,cer=ndu-i s` nu-l informeze despre aceas -t` \nt=lnire pe directorul Federa]ieiRom=nilor din Serbia, Du[an P=rvulovici.|n timpul acestei \nt=lniri, contabilei i-aufost aresate \ntreb`ri ca: ce activitate ausalaria]ii Federa]iei Rom=nilor dinSerbia? cine \i pl`te[te? ce salarii au?Du[an P=rvolovici a ar`tat c` Federa]iaRom=nilor din Serbia a fost controlat` detoate organele de control financiar s=rbe\n \ncercarea de a g`si ilegalit`]i \nactivitatea sa9.

national organizations, Du[an P=rvuloviciaccused the actions taken by Serbiansecret services aginst him and hisfamily, as well as against the orga -nizations he is leading. P=rvulovici saidthat the section of Serbian Intelligenceand Security Agency in Negotin (BIA)had a copy of the financial file of theFederation of Romanians in Serbia, theoriginal file being handed to theFinancial Administration of Negotin. Thedirector of BIA section in Negotin askedthe accountant of the Federation ofRomanians in Serbia for a meeting,asking her not to inform P=rvulovici onthis meeting. During this discussion theaccountant was asked to provie infor -mation on the activities of the Fede -ration of Romanians in Serbia em -ployees, who is paying them, whatsalaries they have. Du[an P=rvulovicistated that all Serbian control agenciesinspected Federation of Romanians inSerbia in an attempt to find illegalitiesin it’s activity9.

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UCRAINA

Suprafa]`: 603.700 kilometri p`tra]iVecini: Belarus 891 km, Ungaria 103km, Moldova 939 km, Polonia 526 km,Rom=nia (sud) 169 km, Rom=nia (vest)362 km, Rusia 1,576 km, Slovacia 97km Popula]ie: 46.299.862Distribu]ie etnic`: ucrainieni 77.8%, ru[i17.3%, beloru[i 0.6%, moldoveni 0.5%,t`tari 0.5%, bulgari 0.4%, unguri 0.3%,rom=ni 0.3%, polonezi 0.3%, evrei 0.2%,al]ii 1.8% (recens`m=nt 2001)Religii: Ortodoc[i ucraineni - PatriarhatulKiev 19%, Ortodoc[i (f`r` supunere canonic`) 16%, Ortodoc[i ucraineni supu[i PatriarhatuluiMoscovei 9%, Greco-catolici 6%, BisericaOrtodox` Ucrainean` Autocefal` 1.7%,Protestan]i, Mozaici, f`r` religie 38%

UKRAINE

Area: 603,700 sq kmBorder countries: Belarus 891 km,Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km,Poland 526 km, Romania (south) 169km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia1,576 km, Slovakia 97 km Population: 46,299,862Nationality: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%,Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%,Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001census)Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - KyivPatriarchate 19%, Orthodox (no particularjurisdiction) 16%, Ukrainian Orthodox -Moscow Patriarchate 9%, UkrainianGreek Catholic 6%, UkrainianAutocephalous Orthodox 1.7%, Protestant,Jewish, none 38%

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n Demografie

Ca \n Serbia, [i \n Ucraina co -munitatea rom=neasc` a fost \mp`r]it` \nmod artificial \n dou`: rom=ni [i mol -doveni, continu=ndu-se astfel practicastabilit` \n timpul stalinismului. Conformdatelor ultimului recensamant din 2001,in Ucraina, 258.619 dintre persoane aufost recenzate ca „moldoveni“, iar alte155.130 ca rom=ni.

Recens`m=ntul din 1930 consemna \nactuala regiune ucrainean` Cern`u]i227.187 rom=ni. Primul recens`m=ntsovietic \n aceast` regiune din 1959 a\nregistrat 151.435 rom=ni, iar ultimulrecens`m=nt sovietic din 1989 a\nregistrat 184.836 rom=ni. Primul re -cens`m=nt ucrainean a consemnat exis -ten]a \n regiunea Cern`u]i a 181.780rom=ni, dintre care 67.225 s-au declaratmoldoveni. |n regiunea Odessa au fostrecenza]i \n anul 2001 un num`r de123.751 moldoveni. |n regiunea Trans -carpatia au fost recenza]i \n anul 200132.152 etnici rom=ni.

n Situa]ia politic`

Prin Tratatul \ncheiat \ntre Rom=nia[i Ucraina \n 1997, a fost constituit` ocomisie mixt` interguvernamental` decooperare pe problemele minorit`]ilorcare ar trebui s` se \ntruneasc` anual,\ns` din 1998 p=n` \n prezent au avutloc doar cinci reuniuni ale acesteicomisii.

Pe 18 iulie 2008, ministrul rom=n deexterne Laz`r Com`nescu s-a \nt=lnit laKiev cu omologul s`u ucrainean Volo -dimir Ogr\zko. Cu aceast` ocazie mi -nistrul Com`nescu a subliniat c` respec -tarea drepturilor persoanelor apar]in=ndminorit`]ilor na]ionale reprezint` un cri -

n Demographics

Like Serbia, Ukraine artificiallysplitted the Romanian community in two:Romanians and Moldovans, therebycontinuing a prectice from Soviet times.Accordin to the last census form 2001in Ukraine, 258.619 citizens wereregistered as Moldovans and 155.130citizens were registered as Romanians.The census from 1930 registered in thenowadays Cern`u]i region 227.187Romanians. The first Soviet census inthis region in 1959 registered 151.435Romanians, and the last Soviet census in1989 registered here 184.836 Romanians.The first Ukrainian census registered inCern`u]i region 181.780 Romanians -among which 67.225 were registered asMoldovans. In Odessa region wereregistered in 2001 123.751 citizens asMoldovans. In Transcarpatia region in2001 were registered 32.152 Romanians.

n Political situation

According to the first Treaty signedbetween Romania and Ukraine in 1997,a joint intergovernmental cooperationcommission regarding minority problemshad been established, commission witchshould have met annually, but wich metonly five times since 1998 until now.

On 18th July 2008, the Romanianminister of foreign affairs Laz`r Com` -nescu met at Kiev with his Ukrainiancounterpart Volodimir Ogr\zko. On thisoccasion minister Com`nescu underlinedagain that human rights observanceregarding national minorities is afundamental criteria in Ukraine process

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teriu fundamental \n ceea ce prive[teprocesul de aderare al Ucrainei laUniunea European`. „Sunt convins c` [icolegii mei ucraineni \n]eleg acest lucrufoarte bine“, a ad`ugat ministrul rom=n.El a apreciat c` este foarte important caprocesul de monitorizare a modului \ncare sunt respectate drepturile celordou` minorit`]i s` fie reluat, dar [i s`se identifice cauzele care au dus la\ntreruperea acestei monitoriz`ri.Ministrul Volodimir Ogr\zko a subliniatc` Ucraina respect` „foarte strict“ toatestandardele [i criteriile interna]ionaleprivind protec]ia drepturilor persoanelorapar]in=nd minorit`]ilor na]ionale.„Aceasta este o tem` \n care trebuie s`fim foarte aten]i [i corec]i pe viitor [iam convenit cu colegul meu s` fim a[a.Este o tematic` foarte important` pentruRom=nia [i Ucraina [i trebuie s` avemo baz` de la care s` putem porni undialog foarte deschis. Aceast` tem` nupoate fi subiectul unor specula]ii“, amen]ionat oficialul ucrainean. Reluareaactivit`]ii comisiei mixte de monito -rizarea ar fi trebuit s` \nceap` \n lunaseptembrie 200810.

n Educa]ia \n limba matern`

|nv`]`m=ntul \n limba rom=n` \nUcraina continu` s` fie modificat prindecizii ale guvernului de la Kiev. Astfel,\n cursul anului 2008 Ministerul |nv` -]`m=ntului de la Kiev a emis Dispozi]ianr. 461 din 26 mai 2008 „Cu privire la\nt`rirea programului pentru \mbu -n`t`]irea studierii limbii ucrainene \n[colile de cultur` general` cu predare \nlimba minorit`]ilor na]ionale pe anii2008-2011“ [i a ordinului cu num`rul 496din 3 iunie 2008 „Cu privire la confir -marea Instruc]iunii pentru completarea

of European Union accession. „I amconvinced that my Ukrainian colleaguesunderstand this very well“, Romanianminister added. He appreciated it is veryimportant that the process of monitoringhow human rights are respected for thetwo minorities to be continued, as wellas identifying what made it stop.Minister Volodimir Ogr\zko underlinedthat Ukraine „strictly“ respects allinternational standards and rulesconcerning the rights of minorities.„This is a subject where we should bevery careful and fair in the future and Iagreed with my colleague that we willbe. It is a very important subject forRomania and Ukraine and we must havea base to start on for an open dialog.This can be the subject of manyspeculations“, the Ukrainian official said.The joint commission should haveresumed its activity in September 200810.

n Education in mother tongue

Education in Romanian language inUkraine continues to be modifiedthrough decisions of Kyiv Government.Thus, during year 2008, Ministry ofEducation in Kyiv published OrderNumber 461 from 26th May 2008 „Re -garding the estrangement of theprogram for improvement of the studyof Ukrainian language in the minoritiesschools for 2008-2011“ and OrderNumber 496 from 3th July 2008 „Re -garding the establishment of Instructionsfor completing class journals for grades

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jurnalelor de clas` pentru clasele 5-11ale institu]iilor de \nv`]`m=nt“. Inova]iileacestor reglement`ri constau \n urm` -toarele: De la 1 septembrie 2008 se vam`ri num`rul de ore la studierea limbiiucrainene ceea ce duce la reduceriinum`rului de ore cu predare \n limbarom=n`; \n clasele a 10-a din [colile cupredare \n limba rom=n` se introducestudierea istoriei Ucrainei [i matematicii\n limba ucrainean`; \n clasele de a 5-ase va introduce predarea \n dou` limbia Istoriei Ucrainei, iar din anii viitori [ipredarea geografiei, matematicii, edu -ca]iei fizice11.

Reprezentan]ii Uniunii InterregionaleComunitatea Rom=nilor din Ucraina(Vasile T`r=]eanu [i Aurica Bojescu) autransmis \n iunie 2008 pre[edinteluiRom=niei o scrisoare deschis` \n care auenumerat mijloacele folosite de guvernulUcrainei pentru reducerea num`rului[colilor [i orelor cu predare \n limbarom=n`:

• deschiderea claselor ucrainene \n[colile na]ionale cu scopul desfiin]`riiacestora din interior (Bahrinesti, raionulHliboca, Vancic`u]i, Boian [i liceul nr. 2din or`[elul Noua Suli]`, raionul NouaSuli]`);

• numirea \n fruntea [colilor na]io -nale a unor directori care nu cunosclimba matern` a copiilor pe care \i\nva]` (SMN 17, or. Cern`u]i);

• predarea for]at` a unor obiecte dinprogramul [colar („Geografia Ucrainei“,„Istoria Ucrainei“, „Educa]ia fizic`“,„Educa]ia patriotic`“, „Ucrainologia“) \nlimba ucrainean`, duce la \ngustareasferei de func]ionare a limbii materne \n[coli;

• introducerea cursului integrat „Lite -ratura rom=n`-literatura universal`“,lucru ce nu s-a \nt=mplat [i \n [colile

5-11 of education establishments“. Theseregulations refer to the following: Star -ting 1th September 2008 the number ofhours granted for studying Ukrainianlanguage will increase, witch will lead toa decrease of the number of hours inRomanian language; in the schools forRomanian minorities, starting 10th grade,the student will have to study thehistory of Ukraine and mathematics inUkrainian; in the 5th grade, student willhave to learn the history of Ukraineboth in Ukrainian and Romanianlanguage and starting 6th gradegeography, mathematics and physicaleducation as well11.

In June 2008 representatives ofInterregional Union Romanian Commu -nity from Ukraine (Vasile T`r=]eanu andAurica Bojescu) sent Romanian Pre -sident a open letter where they pre -sented the means used by Ukrainiangovernment to reduce the number ofRomanian schools:

• establishing Ukrainian classes innational schools with the purpose ofdestroying them from the interior(Bahrine[ti, Hliboca district, Vancic`u]i,Boian and HighSchool Nr. 2 from townNoua Suli]`, Noua Suli]` district);

• naming as director of nationalschools persons who do not speak thematernal language of children to whomthey teach;

• students are forced to study somesubjects from the curricula (Geographyof Ukraine, History of Ukraine, PhysicalEducation, Patriotic education, Ukrai -nology) in Ukrainian language, witchreduced the functionality of maternallanguage;

• establishing the course „RomanianLiterature - Universal Literature“, but notin Ukrainian schools, lead to a decrease

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ucrainene, \n urma c`ruia s-a redusconsiderabil volumul de predare a lite -raturii na]ionale cu zeci de ore pes`pt`m=n` (\n [colile ucrainene literaturauniversal` se pred` aparte de literaturaucrainean`);

• stimularea lipsei de manuale \nlimba rom=n` la diverse obiecte pentrua for]a trecerea pred`rii obiectelor(„Istoria Ucrainei“, „Geografia Ucrainei“,„Ucrainologia“, etc) \n limba ucrainean`;

• editarea de manuale necalitative,de un nivel profesionist, didactic [i [tiin -]ific redus. |n unele manuale, cum este,de exemplu „Eu [i Ucraina“, sunt omi[irom=nii ca popula]ie autohton` \nUcraina, de[i ei reprezint` un segmentimpor tant de popula]ie, dep`[ind nu -meric alte etnii care sunt enumerate \nmanual;

• \n cuv=nt`rile sale, c=nd vorbe[tedespre na]ionalit-]ile conlocuitoare \nUcraina, chiar [i pre[edintele Ucrainei, \iomite pe rom=ni, enumer=ndu-i doar peunguri, polonezi, bulgari, ru[i, ]igani,evrei;

• scrierea documenta]iei, orarelor [ijurnalelor de clas`, programelor delucru, protocoalelor etc. agita]ia extra -[colar` [i instructiv`, diversele concur -suri profesionale se desf`[oar` \n limbaucrainean`, reduc=ndu-se [i mai multcaracterul de [coal` na]ional`;

• anularea examenelor de absolvire[i de admitere la limba rom=n` \ninstitu]iile de \nv`]`m=nt superior [i lacele medii de specialitate;

• \nlocuirea examenului de admiterela limba rom=n` cu cel de limba ucrai -nean` la specialitatea: \nv`]`tor pentruclasele primare pentru [colile cu limbarom=n` de predare a obiectelor (Cole -giul pedagogic al Universitatii Na]ionale„Iu. Fedkovici“ din Cern`u]i)12;

of classes referring to national literature(in Ukrainian schools Universal Litera -ture is studied separately from UkrainianLiterature);

• encouraging the lack of textbooksin Romanian language at some subjectsto encourage the study in Ukrainian;

• editing low quality textbooks of alow professional, didactic and scientificlevel. In some textbooks, as for example„Me and Ukraine“, Romanians are notmentioned as a native population inUkraine, although it represents an im -portant segment of population, outnum -bering other populations witch arementioned in the textbook.

• in his speeches, when he is talkingabout other minorities that live inUkraine, even the president omits tomention Romanians among Hungarians,Poles, Bulgarians, Russians, Gipsys,Jews;

• the documents, schedules, classjournals, working programs, diversprofessional challenges are held only inUkrainian language, reducing thecharacter of national school;

• canceling the possibility of takinggraduation exam in Romanian or anyadmission exam into a higher instituteof education or medium ones;

• replacement of the admission examin Romanian with a exam in Ukrainianlanguage for the teachers from primarygrades12.

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n Libertatea religioas`

Biserica ortodox` supus` MitropolieiBasarabiei din Hagi-Curda (Cam=[ovka,regiunea Odessa) a r`mas [i \n anii2007-2008 cea mai periclitat` parohie cuslujb` \n limba rom=n`. Astfel, \n martie2007, Mitropolitul ucrainean al OdeseiAgafanghel a cerut autorit`]ilor ucrai -nene demolarea noii biserici construiteaici13.

|n ciuda acestor cereri, lucr`rile laaceast` biseric` au fost \ncheiate \n varaanului 2008. |n prezent la noua biseric`din Hagi-Curda sluje[te preotul GrigoreGalben, care spre deosebire de pre -decesorii s`I nu a mai fost ]intaatacurilor cu autori necunoscu]i. P=n` \nprezent autorit`]ile ucrainene nu aureu[it s`-I identifice pe cei care i-auatacat \n anii trecu]i pe preo]ii supu[iMitropoliei Basarabiei14.

n Mass-media \n limba matern`

Mass-media \n limba rom=n` are oreprezentare destul de bogat` - \ns` seconfrunt` cu numeroase probleme. Ceamai mare problem` este finan]area pu -blica]iilor \n limba rom=n` - din aceast`cauz` multe reviste sau ziare av=ndapari]ii neregulate. Necesitatea \nre -gistr`rii la autorit`]ile locale a pu -blica]iilor scrise genereaz` [i ingerin]edin partea autorit`]ilor ucrainene. Printrepublica]iile care apar la Cern`u]i \nlimba rom=n` se num`r`r: ziarele„Concordia“, „Zorile Bucovinei“; ziare cuapa ri]ie neregulat` „Junimea“ [i „Ar -ca[ul“, revista pentru copii „F`gurel“,almanahul cultural-literar „}ara fagilor“,revista trimestrial` „Septentrion literar“,ziarul „Libertatea cuv=ntului“, ziarul

n Religious freedom

The Orthodox Church submitted tothe Metropolitan Church of Basarabiafrom Hagi-Curda (Cam=[ovca, Odessaregion) remained in 2007-2008 the mostendangered parish with Romanianlanguage divine service. Thus, in March2007, Ukrainian bishop of Odessa, Aga -fanghel asked Ukrainian authorities todemolish the new church built here13.

Despite all this requests, theestablishment of this church had beenfinished in the summer of 2008. Now,priest Grigore Galben is serving at thischurch in Hagi-Curda, who unlike hispredecessors has not been the target ofsome attacks made by unknownperpetrators. Untill now, Ukrainianauthorities did not managed to identifythe authors of those who attacked pre -vious priest member of to MetropolitanChurch of Basarabia14.

n Mass-media in mother tongue

Mass-media in Romanian languagehas a pretty large presence - stillconfrounting a lot of problems. Thebiggest problem is funding the pu -blications in Romanian language - mostof these being issued iregularly. Theobligation of registering written mediawith local authorities generates alsoinfluences from Ukrainian authorities.Among Romanian language mediaprinted in Cern`u]i are: newspapers„Concordia“, „Zorile Bucovinei“,„Junimea“, „Arca[ul“; childre magazine„F`gurel“; cultural almanach „}araFagilor“; „Septentrion literar“ magazine;„Libertatea Cuv=ntului“, „ClopotulBucovinei“. In Transcarpatia regionmass-media in Romanian language is

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„Clopotul Bucovinei“. |n regiuneaTranscarpatia mass media sunt repre -zentate prin emisiunile de televiziune \nlimba rom=n` „Zi de zi“ [i „Telerevistas`pt`m=nii“, iar la radio emisunea zilnica„Plaiul meu natal“. Tot aici mai exist` [ipublica]ia „Maramure[enii“ care areapari]ie s`pt`m=nal`.

n Activitatea public` a rom=nilor din Ucraina

Rom=nii din Ucraina sunt reprezenta]i\n Parlamentul de la Kiev de deputatulIoan Popescu, care a fost ales pe listelePartidului Regiunilor. |n afar` de aceast`reprezentare etnicii rom=ni din Ucrainasunt asocia]i \ntr-un num`r mare deasocia]ii [i organiza]ii neguvernamntale.|n regiunea Cern`u]i exist` Alian]aCre[tin-Democrat` a Rom=nilor dinUcraina, Asocia]ia {tiin]ifico-Pedagogic`din Ucraina „Aron Pumnul“, Societateapen tru Cultura Rom=neasc` „MihaiEminescu“, Liga Tineretului Rom=n dinBucovina „Junimea“, Societatea Vic -timelor Represaliilor Staliniste „Golgota“,Asocia]ia Cultural-Sportiv` „Drago[Vod`“, Centrul Bucovinean Independentde Cercet`ri Actuale, Societatea debinefacere „Casa Limbii Rom=ne“,Uniunea Interregional` „Comunitatearom= neasc` din Ucraina“. |n Transcar -patia activeaz` Asocia]ia social-cultural`„George Co[buc’’, Societatea cultural`„Ioan Mihaly de Ap[a“, UniuneaRegional` „Dacia“, Societatea TineretuluiRom=n „Mihai Eminescu“, Asocia]iaPrim`riilor rom=ne[ti din dreapta Tisei.|n regiunea Odesa activeaz` Asocia]iaNa]ional-Cultural` „Basarabia“ aRomanilor din regiunea Odesa [iAnsamblul Folcloric „Dor Basarabean“.Aceast` organiza]ie inten]ioneaz` s`

represented by: daily TV programs „Zide zi“ and weekly „Telerevista s`pt` -m=nii“, daily radio program „Plaiul meunatal“ and weekly magazine „Mara -mure[enii“.

n Public activity of Romanians in Ukraine

Romanians in Ukraine are repre -sented in the Kyiv Rada by IoanPopescu, who was elected on RegionsParty lists. Beside this central repre -sentative, Romanian ethnics in Ukrainehave a large number of non-gover -nmental organizations. In Cern`u]iregion may be found: Christian-Democratic Alliance of Romanians inUkraine; „Aron Pumnul“ Scientific andPedagogical Association; „Mihai Emi -nescu“ Society for Romanian Culture;Romanian Youth League in Bucovina„Junimea“; Society for Victims of StalinistReprisals „Golgota“; „Drago[-Vod`“Cultural and Sports Association; Buco -vina Center for Recent Research; CharityAssociation „Casa Limbii Rom=ne“; Inter-regional Union „Romanian Community inUkraine“. In Transcarpatia there areactive „George Co[buc“ Cultural Asso -ciation; „Ioan Mihaly de Ap[a“ CulturalAssociation; Regional Union „Dacia“;Romanian Youth Society „MihaiEminescu“. In Odessa region are: „Na -tional and Cultural Association „Basa -rabia“ of Romanians in Odessa region;Folklore Society „Dor Basarabean“. Thelast society has the intention of founding„Odessa Regional Center for RomanianCulture“. The legal steps to register thiscenter were made begining with 2005,

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\nfiin]eze un Centru Regional Odesapentru Cultura Rom=neasc`. Demersurilepentru \nfiin]area acestui centru au fostdemarate \nc` din anul 2005 \ns` p=n`\n prezent Comisia Permanent` \ndomeniile legalit`]ii, ordinii juridice,drepturilor cet`]enilor [i rela]iilorinterna]ionale a Consiliului RegionalOdesa a respins cererea \naintat` decon duc`torii ansamblului \n colaborarecu reprezentan]ii Uniunii Interregionale„Comunitatea Rom=neasc` din Ucraina“,constat=nd ca fiind inutil` \nfiin]areaunui centru cultural al rom=nilor dinsudul Basarabiei.

n Ac]iuni anti-rom=ne[ti

Pe 29 august 2007 Ambasada Ro -m=niei de la Kiev a fost pichetat` de4.000 de activi[ti ai Partidului BloculKucima care au protestat fa]` depresupusele preten]ii teritoriale aleRom=niei asupra Ucrainei. Manifestan]iiau aruncat cu ou` \n cl`dire AmbasadeiRom=niei. For]ele de ordine ucrainenenu au supravegheat manifesta]ia, inter -venind abia \n urma solicit`rilor repetateale diploma]ilor rom=ni. La aceast`manifesta]ie au fost afi[ate pancarte cutexte ca: „Bucure[ti, m=inile jos de peUcraina!“, „MAE, spune adev`rul desprepreten]iile rom=nilor!“, „UE, ia atitudinefa]` de min]ile \nfierb=ntate ale rom= -nilor!“ sau „NATO, calmeaz` Rom=nia!“.Diploma]ii rom=nii de la Kiev s-au pl=nsde faptul c` \mpotriva cutumei,autorit`]ile de la Kiev nu au informatAmbasada Rom=niei cu privire la des -f`[urarea acestei manifesta]ii15.

but up to now the Legal Commission ofthe Odessa Regional Council rejectedthe request frwarded by the leaders ofFolklore Society „Dor Basarabean“together with Inter-regional Union „Ro -manian Community in Ukraine“, sayingthat the founding of a cultural center ofRomanians in south Bessarabia is„useless“.

n Anti-Romanian actions

On 29th August 2007 RomanianEmbassy in Kyiv was staked out by4.000 Kuchma Block Patry activists whoprotested against Romania’s assumedterritorial pretensions on Ukraine. Thedemonstrants threw eggs at theRomanian embassy building. The Ukrai -nian police forces did not supervised thedemonstration, intervening only afterseveral requests of Romanian diplomats.At this demonstration have beenexposed placards with the followingcontent: „Bucharest, hands off Ukraine!Ministry of External Affairs, tell thetruth about Romanian aims! E.U., takeattitude towards Romanians excitedminds!“ or „NATO, calm down Ro -mania!“. Romanian diplomats from Kyivcomplained about the fact that despitethe customs, authorities from Kyiv didnot inform Romanian Embassy regardingthis demonstration15.

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UNGARIA

Suprafa]`: 93.030 kilometri p`tra]iVecini: Austria 366 km, Croa]ia 329km, Rom=nia 443 km, Serbia 151 km,Slovacia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km,Ucraina 103 kmPopula]ie: 9.956.108Distribu]ie etnic`: unguri 92.3%, roma1.9%, al]ii 5.8% (recens`m=nt 2001)Religii: Catolici 51.9%, Calvini[ti 15.9%,Luterani 3%, Greco-catolici 2.6%, alteconfesiuni cre[tine 1%, altele 11.1%(recens`m=nt 2001)Limbi folosite: maghiar` (limb` oficial`) 93.6%, altele 6.4% (recens`m=nt 2001)

n Demografie

Conform recens`m=ntului din anul2001 \n Ungaria [i-au declarat apar -tenen]a la etnia rom=n` un num`r de7.995 de oameni, iar vorbitori de limb`rom=n` s-au declarat 8.482. La recen -s`m=ntul din 1990 s-au declarat etnicirom=ni 10.740 persoane [i vorbitori delimb` rom=n` doar 8.730. Liderii

HUNGARY

Area: 93,030 sq km Border countries: Austria 366 km,Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,Serbia 151 km, Slovakia 677 km,Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 kmPopulation: 9,956,108Nationality: Hungarian 92.3%, Roma1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001census) Religions: Roman Catholic 51.9%,Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, GreekCatholic 2.6%, other Christian 1%,other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated14.5% (2001 census)Languages: Hungarian 93.6%, other orunspecified 6.4% (2001 census)

n Demographics

According to the 2001 census inHun gary a number of 7.995 citizensregistered as Romanian ethnics, while8.482 registered as Romanian languagenative speakers. During the 1990 census10.740 citizens registered as Romanianethnics and 8.730 registered as Ro -manian language native speakers.

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organiza]iilor neguvernamentale rom= -ne[ti sus]in c` num`rul rom=nilor dinUngaria este \n jur de 20-25.000 demembri. Localit`]ile \n care azi tr`ie[temajoritatea rom=nilor din Ungaria seg`sesc, de la Mure[ p=n` dincolo deCri[ul-Repede, de-a lungul frontiereidintre Ungaria [i Rom=nia, respectiv \nBudapesta, unde tr`iesc aproximativ1.200 de etnici rom=ni.

Sistemul autoguvern`rilor minoritaredin Ungaria - \n ciuda numelui generoseste vorba despre organiza]ii negu -vernamentale sprijinite financiar deguvernul maghiar pentru activit`]iculturale - a fost criticat de presa rom= -neasc` din Ungaria. |n octombrie 2007,revista „Foaia Rom=neasc`“ a publicat unarticol \n care depl=ngea faptul c`pozi]iile de conducere din Autogu -vern`rile rom=ne[ti din Ungaria suntocupate de etnici maghiari emigra]i dinRom=nia \n Ungaria.

n Educa]ia \n limba matern`

Legisla]ia maghiar` permite \nv` -]`m=ntul \n limba matern`. |n Ungariafunc]ioneaz` 11 [coli generale cu pre -dare \n limba rom=n` la Aletea, B`tania,Bedeu, Chitighaz, Micherechi, Otlaca-Pust`, Apateu, Cenadul Unguresc,Leucu[haz, S`cal, Jaca. De asemenea laGiula exist` un liceu, Nicolae B`lcescu,cu predare \n limba rom=n`. |nv`]`m=ntsuperior \n limba rom=n` exist` laUniversitatea din Seghedin, InstitutulPedagogic „Juh·sz Gyula“, unde func -]ioneaz` o catedra de Rom=n`.

O nou` [coal` rom=neasc` a fostinaugurat` pe 4 septembrie 2008, laB`tania. Cl`direa a fost construit` cusprijinul Ministerului Culturii [i Educa]ieiMaghiare din fondul suplimentar pentru

Leadres of ROmanian NGO’s in Hungaryaffirm that the number of ethnic Ro -manians living in Hungary isapproximately 20.000 citizens. The citiesand villages inhabited by Romaniansmay be found along Hungarian-Ro -manian border, while 1.200 citizens ofRomanian origins live in Budapest.

Despite its generous name - Systemof self government minorities inHungary - we are talking about nongovernmental organizations financiallysupported by the Hungarian governmentfor cultural activities , organization thathas been criticized by the Romanianpress in Hungary. In October 2007,Romanian magazine „Foaia Rom=neasc`“published an article in witch complainedthat the ruling positions of System ofself government minorities in Hungaryare taken by Hungarian ethnics whoemigrated from Romania.

n Education in mother tongue

Hungarian legislation allows edu -cation in mother tongue. In Hungarythere are 11 elementary schools usingRomanian language in Aletea, B`tania,Bedeu, Chitighaz, Micherehi, Otlaca-Pust`, Apateu, Cenadul Unguresc,Leucu[haz, S`cal, Jaca. Aswell in Giulathere is „Nicolae B`lcescu“ high-schoolteaching in ROmanian language. Atuniversity level, Romanian language maybe studied at Szeged University wherethere is a Romanian Department.

A new Romanian school has beeninaugurated on 4th September, 2008, atBattonya. The building has been esta -blished with the support of HungarianMinistry of Culture and Education withextra fonds for national minorities. The

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minorit`]ile na]ionale. Investi]ia de laB`tania a ajuns la 220 de milioane deforin]i, din care 60 de milioane s-aucheltuit pentru renovarea gr`dini]ei, iar160 pentru construirea unei noi [coli.Rom=nia a contribuit cu 100.000 de eurola achizi]ionarea echipamentelor delogistic` necesare [colii16.

O alt` problem` a \nv`]`m=ntului \nlimba rom=n` \n Ungaria este re -prezentat` de lipsa manualelor \n limbarom=n`. |n [colile rom=ne[ti sunt folositemanualele tip`rite \n maghiar`, conformprogramei maghiare, \ns` procesultraducerii lor \n rom=n` este dificil. |nanul 2008 doar [ase manuale au fosttraduse \n rom=n`, \n anul 2008 cifrafiind mai mic` - doar dou`, \n vreme cepentru minoritatea s=rb` din Ungaria aufost traduse \n 2007 16 manuale17.

De asemenea, de c=]iva ani \n [colilerom=ne[ti din Ungaria s-a renun]atpredarea \n limba rom=n` din clasa I,prefer=ndu-se ca copii s` \nve]e scrisul[i cititul \n limba maghiar`18.

n Mass-media \n limba matern`

|n regiunea Seghedin este difuzat unprogram radio \n limba rom=n` sus]inutde Radiodifuziunea maghiar` \nc` dinanul 1980. Redac]ia este la Seghedin [i\n prezent se confrunt` cu o lips` depersonal. De asemenea exist` aici [i oredac]ie de televiziune \n limba rom=n`\ncep=nd din anul 1982, care emites`pt`m=nal timp de 26 de minute.Emisiuni realizate \n limba rom=n` setransmit pe re]eaua de cablu la B`tania,Bichi[ciaba, Chitighaz [i la Giula.Programul Televiziunii Rom=ne poate firecep]ionat aproape \n toate localit`]ilepopulate de rom=nii din Ungaria. Ca

financial investment reached 220 millionHUF, from that 60 millions have beenspent for restoration of the kindergartenand 160 million for building the newschool. Romania contributed with100.000 Euro in the project witch wereused for buying the required equip -ments16.

Another problem regarding Romanianlanguage education in Hungary is thelack of Romanian translated textbooks.Romanian schools use textbooks printedin Hungarian and translated inRomanian, according to Hungariancurricula, but this translation is verydifficult. In 2007 only six textbooks havebeen translated into Romanian, in 2008their number had been reduced to two,while for the Serbian minority fromHungary there have been translatedsixteen textbooks in 200717.

Also, for some years Romanianschools from Hungary have renouncedto teach in Romanian language startingfirst grade, preferring to teach childrento write and read in Hungarian18.

n Mass-media in mother tongue

In Szeged region is aired a radioprogram in Romanian language suppor -ted by the Hungarian Radio beginingwith 1980. Romanian redaction is locatedin Szeged and in present is challengedby an acute lack of personnel. Hereexists also begining with 1982 a TVredaction for a Romanian languageprogram aired weekly for 26 minutes.TV Romanian language programs existon the cable network in B`tania, Bi -chi[ciaba, Chitighaz and Giula. RomanianTelevision program may pe viewed inalmost all Romanian communities.Written mass-media is represented by

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pres` scris` \n Ungaria exist` \n limbarom=n` revista „Foaia rom=neasc`“,Editura de pres` [i c`r]i „NOI“, revista„Convie]uirea“ [i revista „Jurnalul“.

n Libertatea religioas`

Pe 27 iulie 2008 a avut loc o slujb`la biserica rom=neasc` din Bichi[ciaba,la un an de la incendierea ei. Repara]iilela aceast` biseric` s-au desf`[urat rapid,parohia beneficiind de sprijinul financiaral guvernelor maghiar [i rom=n19. Pe 23iulie 2007 biserica ortodox` dinBichi[ciaba a fost vandalizat` [i in -cendiat`. Autorit`]ile maghiare au rezol -vat cu promptitudine cazul: pe 26 iulies-a anun]at c` a fost descoperit f`pta[ul,anume un t=n`r maghiar de 33 de anibolnav de schizofrenie.

|n Ungaria a fost \nfiin]at` \nc` dinanul 1946 o Episcopie a Bisericii Orto -doxe Rom=ne, care func]ioneaz` [i \nprezent. Aceast` Episcopie are \nsubordine 21 de parohii \n localit`]ilepopulate de rom=ni: Aletea, Apateu,B`tania, Bichi[, Bichi[ciaba, Budapesta,Cenadul Unguresc, Ciorva[, Chitighaz,Cr=stor, Darva[, Giula - Ora[ul MareRom=nesc, Giula - Ora[ul Mic Ro -m=nesc, Jaca, Leucu[haz, Micherechi,Otlaca-Pust`, Peterd, S`cal, Seghedin,Vecherd.

n Activitatea public` a rom=nilor din Ungaria

Organiza]iile neguvernamentale alerom=nilor din Ungaria sunt numeroase[i cu o bogat` activitate. Astfel \n Un -garia func]ioneaz`: Uniunea Cultural` aRom=nilor din Ungaria, ComunitateaCercet`torilor [i Creatorilor Rom=ni dinUngaria, Societatea Cultural` a Rom= -

magazines such as „Foaia Rom=neasc`“,„Convie]uirea“ and „Jurnalul“.

n Religious freedom

On 27th July 2008, a divine servicetook place at a Romanian church inBekescsaba, a year after it had been seton fire. The reconstruction of thechurch was made very fast, the parishbeing supported by the Romanian andHungarian government19. On 23th July2007 the orthodox church in Bekescsabawas vandalized and set on fire.Hungarian authorities solved this caseimmediately: on 26th July theyannounced that the author had beenidentified, a young Hungarian aged 33suffering of schizophrenia.

In Hungary was founded beginingwith 1946 a Bishopry of RomanianOrthodox Church, functioning up to thisday. Rhis bishopry has 21 subordinatedparishes in ROmanian communities:Aletea, Apateu, B`tania, Bichi[, Bichi[ -ciaba, Budapesta, Cenadul Unguresc,Ciorva[, Chitighaz, Cr=stor, Darva[,Giula - Ora[ul Mare Rom=nesc, Giula -Ora[ul Mic Rom=nesc, Jaca, Leucu[haz,Micherechi, Otlaca-Pust`, Petred, S`cal,Seghedin, Vecherd.

n Public activity of Romanians in Hungary

Non-governmental organizations ofRomanian in Hungary are numerous andvery active. In Hungary are functioning:Cultural Union of Romanians inHungary, Romanian Researchers andCreators Community in Hungary; Cul -tural Society of Romanians in Budapest;

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nilor din Budapesta, Asocia]ia Cultural`Rom=n` din Chitighaz, Asocia]iaCultural` Rom=n` din Leta Mare,Asocia]ia Cultural` a Rom=nilor dinSeghedin, Funda]ia pentru CulturaRom=n` din Ungaria, Funda]ia „ProMusica“, Funda]ia „Lucian Magdu“. Deasemenea sunt recunoscute Autogu -vernarea pe ]ar` a Rom=nilor din Un -garia, Autoguvernarea Rom=n` Local`,Coali]ia Rom=nilor din Ungaria. {edin]ade constituire a Autoguvern`rii pe }ar`a Rom=nilor din Ungaria din 22 martie2007, s-a desf`[urat numai \n limbamaghiar`, reprezentan]ii mai multororganiza]ii neguvernamentale rom=ne[tiau solicitat s` depun` jur`m=ntul \nlimba rom=n`. Cererea deputa]ilor dinpartea Asocia]iei Femeilor OrtodoxeRom=ne din Budapesta a fost respins`,ceea ce a provocat \naintarea unuiprotest scris c`tre autorit`]ile maghiare,proteste semnat [i de AutoguvernareaRom=neasc` din Bichi[, AutoguvernareaRom=neasc` din Micherechi, Auto -guvernarea Rom=neasc` din Budapesta -sectorul XI, Autoguvernarea Rom=neasc`din Giula, Autoguvernarea Rom=neasc`din Mac`u.

n Ac]iuni anti-rom=ne[ti

Pe 15 septembrie 2007 Ziua Rom= -nilor Bihoreni din satul Vecherd a fost\ntrerupt` de manifest`rile a doi cet`]enimaghiari \n stare de ebrietate care austrigat lozinci anti-rom=ne[ti. Conformrelat`rii revistei Foaia Rom=neasc` doib`rba]i de etnie maghiar` au scandat„B¸dˆs ol·hok, takarodjatok haza!“ (Vlahi\mpu]i]i, merge]i acas`!) [i „CsonkaMagyarorsz·g nem orsz·g! VisszaTrianon!“ (Ungaria ciuntit` nu e ]ar`!

Romanian Cultural Association inChitighaz; Romanian Cultural Associationin Leta Mare; Romanian CulturalAssociation in Szeged; Foundation forRo manian Culture in Hungary; „Pro-musica“ Foundation; „lucian Magdu“Foun dation. Aswell are recognizedCountrey Self-government of Romaniansin Hungary; Local ROmanian Self-go -vernment; Romanians Coalition inHungary.

The meeting of Countrey Self-gover -nment of Romanians from 22nd ofMarch 2007 was carried exclusivelyusing Hungarian language, due to thisrepresentatives of some RomanianNGO’s requested that they should beallowed to make their oath in Romanianlanguage. The request submitted byOrthodox Women Association inBudapest was rejected. This provokedthe protesting associations (RomanianSelf-government in Bichi[,Romanian Self-government in Micherechi, RomanianSelf-government in Budapest, RomanianSelf-government in Giula, Romanian Self-government in Mac`u) to file an officialcomplaint for the Hungarian authoritiesregarding the free use of minoritylanguages.

n Anti-Romanian actions

On 15th September 2007 The Fes -tival of Bihor county Romanians fromVekerd village had been interrupted bytwo drunk Hungarian citizens witchshouted anti-Romanian slogans. Accor -ding to „Foiai Rom=neasc`“ magazinethe two Hungarian men shouted: „Budosolahok, takarodjatok haza!“ (StinkingWallachians, go home!) and „CsonkaMagya rorszag nem orszag! Vissza Tria -non!“ (Torn Hungary is not a country!

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\napoi Trianon!). Manifestarea a st=rnitpanic` printre s`tenii din Vecherd, fiindprima de acest gen din localitate. „Lanoi \n sat a[a ceva \nc` nu o fost.Niciodat` nu o trebuit s` chem`m poli]iala vreun program. De fapt, eu n-amv`zut exact ce s-a \nt=mplat, doar amauzit c` cei doi b`rba]i tot au strigatprostii“, a declarat Iosif Brumar, careeste vicepre[edintele Autoguvern`riiRom=ne[ti din Vecherd20.

1 Scrisorile au fost puse la dispozi]ia Centrului deStudii pentru Resurse Rom=ne[ti de UniuneaTinerilor Etnici Rom=ni din Bulgaria „AVE“

2 http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11528.pdf, accesat la 15.09.2008

3 http://www.rgnpress.ro/Eveniment/Liderul-politic-al-romanilor-din-Timoc-a-preluat-presedentia-Consiliului-Local-Bor.html#Scene_1, accesat la 15.09.2008

4 http://www.timocpress.info/?p=735#more-735,accesat la 15.09.2008

5 http://2007.rgnpress.ro/Social/Vicepremierul-sarb-promite-sustinere-pentru-scoli-in-limba-romana-in-Valea-Timocului.html, , accesat la 15.09.2008

6 http://www.rgnpress.ro/Social/Romanii-din-Cladova-vor-avea-o-emisiune-in-limba-romana.html#Scene_1, ,accesat la 15.09.2008

7 http://www.rgnpress.ro/Politic/-Prietenul-Traian-asteptat-cu-mesaje-antiromanesti-in-Timoc.html#Scene_1, accesat la 15.09.2008

8 http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/819415/Preot-roman-prigonit-de-sarbi/, accesat la15.09.2008

9 ZIUA de VEST, 21 august 200810 Rompres, 18 iulie 200811 http://www.rgnpress.ro/Politic/Romanii-din-Ucraina-

cer-disperati-ajutor-impotriva-presiunilor-asimilationiste-ucrainiene.html#Scene_1, accesat la15.09.2008

12 http://centruldestudii.ro/csrr/contact/2008/04_01contact.pdf, accesat la 15.09.2008

13 http://www.gardianul.ro/2007/03/31/religie-c22/biserica_romaneasca_de_la_hagi_curda_in_pericol_de_a_fi_demolata-s92383.html, accesat la 15.09.2008

14 Timpul de diminea]`, Chi[in`u, nr. 881, 6 iunie2008

15 ZIUA Nr. 4023 de sambata, 1 septembrie 200716 http://www.rgnpress.ro/Social/Inaugurarea-noii-

scoli-din-Batania.html, accesat la 15.09.200817 http://www.rgnpress.ro/Social/Toamna-a-adus-6-

manuale-noi-romanesti-in-Ungaria.html#Scene_1,accesat la 15.09.2008

18 http://www.rgnpress.ro/Social/Sare-pe-o-rana-deschisa.html#Scene_1, accesat la 15.09.2008

19 http://www.rgnpress.ro/Culte/Sperante-la-un-an-de-la-vandalizarea-bisericii-romanesti-din-Bichisciaba.html#Scene_1, accesat la 15.09.2008

20 http://www.foaia.hu/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2245&Itemid=1

Trianon vanish!). Their action spreadpanic among the citizens of Vekerd, beingthe first one of this kind. „Something likethat never happened in our village before.We never had to appeal to police for anyprogram or ganized by us. In fact, I havenot seen exactly what happened, I justheard the two men shouting rubbish“,said Iosif Brumar, the vice-president ofRomanian Self Government Organisationin Vekerd20.