Dear Prime Minister Bolojan,

We are writing to you with deep concern regarding the Government’s intention to merge essential institutions responsible for protecting fundamental rights and the safety of citizens. We represent non-governmental organizations with extensive experience in protecting the rights of victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, as well as concerned citizens.

Romanian society is torn between two extremes, worn down and exhausted. We have barely managed to withstand a severe attack on the rule of law and democracy, and we are living through difficult times, facing a systematic assault on human rights. As a state governed by the rule of law, we bear the responsibility and obligation to strengthen every effort to combat and prevent such attacks.

The idea of merging several institutions tasked with safeguarding individual and collective rights in Romania is troubling. These institutions were created after immense pressure from civil society, the European Union, and other international forums. They exist thanks to public protests, petitions, and years of work to bring in expertise and to gain legitimacy in the eyes of citizens as well as the political environment.

We remind you that Romania plays an important role in defending the fundamental values of the European Union, as set out in the Treaty of Amsterdam, particularly with regard to strengthening the rights and interests of EU citizens and maintaining and developing the EU as a space of freedom, equality, security, and justice.

Institutions such as the National Agency for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (ANES), the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (ANITP), the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman), the National Council for Combating Discrimination (CNCD), the National Agency for Roma (ANR), and the “Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania all share a common mission: protecting human rights, educating the public, and reporting Romania’s progress to international forums. More than that, they are all essential to the rule of law.

Together, these institutions employ no more than 200 staff members, which, regardless of the Government’s consolidation plan, would be reduced to about 100 positions.

Prime Minister Bolojan, are we really to believe that by saving the salaries of 100 specialized staff—dedicated to the protection of individual and collective rights and freedoms—Romania will be rescued from financial crisis?

Without diminishing the importance of the other institutions mentioned above, allow us to highlight just a few points related to our areas of work, which would be directly affected by the “downgrading” of essential institutions. These institutions require increased capacity—not its reduction—through being turned into departments or offices relegated to the Ministry of Labor.

Risks of merging the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (ANITP):

• Human trafficking is a strategic issue for Romania and cannot be reduced to a mere department or removed from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

• Loss of the national rapporteur structure – mandated by the agency’s institutional role – would affect Romania’s obligation to report to the European Commission and disrupt the centralized and transparent collection of trafficking data.

• Loss of over 20 years of accumulated expertise, difficult to transfer to other structures (over 70% of ANITP’s staff are police officers who would return to other police units, while the remaining 30% administrative staff would be cut). The result: dismantling not only an institution but also Romania’s coherent anti-trafficking strategy.

• Loss of the National Contact Point function for victim repatriation.

• Weakened capacity to identify and protect victims, including foreign nationals and minors, especially through regional centers that actively support the police, prosecutors, and social services.

• Delays or blockages in prevention campaigns, professional training programs, and international cooperation initiatives.

• Violation of international treaty obligations and EU non-compliance risks.

• Decreased visibility and influence in international anti-trafficking networks.

• Delays in drafting and implementing the National Strategy Against Trafficking in Persons (2024–2028).

Risks of merging the National Agency for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (ANES):

ANES was established as Romania’s obligation to comply with international treaties and the EU framework.

Its roles include:

• Coordinating the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and CEDAW.

• Managing vouchers for victims of domestic violence and operating the 24/7 national helpline 0800 500 333.

• Licensing and regulating essential social services such as emergency shelters, recovery centers, protected housing, counseling centers, awareness programs, and services for aggressors.

• Promoting gender equality and combating misinformation, misogyny, and online hate speech.

• Supporting legislation, gender-sensitive budgeting, and women’s representation in decision-making bodies.

• Building coalitions with women’s groups and involving men and boys in gender equality efforts.

• Conducting research and monitoring negative reactions to women’s rights.

ANES is the only agency currently able to play this vital role in defending women’s rights and promoting an equitable society.

Risks of merging the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman):

• Recognized as Romania’s national human rights institution under UN Resolution 48/134 (“Paris Principles”).

• Every year, people turn to the Ombudsman to report intimidation, harassment, discrimination, exclusion, abuse, and violence.

• Key rights it safeguards include: equality before the law, life and integrity, freedom of movement, privacy, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, access to education, health, environment, voting rights, and more.

• It plays a crucial role in defending minority rights, combating domestic violence, monitoring hate speech, protecting religious freedom, addressing forest protection issues, and drafting international reports.

Risks of merging the National Council for Combating Discrimination (CNCD):

• Ensures respect for the principle of non-discrimination, in line with national and international law.

• Its independence is essential for investigating, sanctioning, and mediating discrimination cases.

• Provides assistance to discrimination victims and monitors national cases.

Risks of merging the “Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust:

• Dedicated to documenting, researching, archiving, and publishing Holocaust-related material.

• Conducts education programs and combats rising antisemitism.

• Recently released the monitoring report “Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial in the Electoral Year 2024–2025”.

Risks of merging the National Agency for Roma (ANR):

• Over 1 million Roma citizens live in Romania, many facing multiple discrimination, extreme poverty, lack of access to education, and precarious living conditions.

• Romania ranks first in Europe in the number of teenage mothers, many from impoverished and marginalised Roma communities where such tragedies are perpetuated under the guise of tradition.

Prime Minister, these institutions are not mere bureaucracies—they embody Romania’s commitment to human rights. They were created under difficult circumstances, often in defiance of political opposition, and they remain vital.

Merging them into the Ministry of Labor would send a dangerous signal: that equality, rights, minority protection, Holocaust remembrance, and the fight against human trafficking are secondary issues, mere administrative footnotes. The reality is the opposite: without strong, independent, and authoritative institutions, victims are left unprotected, and Romania risks losing the trust of its international partners.

This decision would make victims more vulnerable, weaken prevention, and diminish rapid intervention capacity. Instead of moving forward by strengthening institutions, Romania would send the message that protecting its most vulnerable—women, men, and children—is negotiable.

Prime Minister, we urge you to reconsider this measure.
Romania needs strong institutions, not weakened ones. It needs bold and coherent policies, not short-term fixes that sacrifice long-term citizen protection.

We ask you to preserve these agencies in their current form, under appropriate coordination, and to provide them with the resources and authority needed to fulfill their mission.

The future of a society is also measured by how it protects its women, children, and victims of abuse. Romania cannot afford to take steps backward.

Signatory organizations:

Asociația NECUVINTE

Fundația Centrul de Mediere și Securitate Comunitară

Asociația UNIC

Consiliul Director al Asociației Romanian Women’s LOBBY