“In its current form, the draft law entered into debate in the Senate on Tuesday is likely to intimidate the organization and participation in demonstrations or protest rallies, which affects the very foundation of democracy. Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are guaranteed by the Romanian Constitution and cannot be limited in any way. The Romanian people are sovereign, and citizens must have the freedom to publicly express their dissatisfaction with the elected, without being intimidated under the penalty of imprisonment”, according to a press release.
Therefore, the PSD “will not vote for the bill in its current form.”
“During the debates, the PSD MPs will request the removal of the amendment, proposed by the PNL, by which those who participate in protests risk being penalized directly with prison because they dare to criticize public authorities or political decision-makers. The draft law initiated by the PNL parliamentarians proposes the amendment of article 371 of the Criminal Code, so that the disturbance of public order, including by affecting the dignity of the person, is punished with imprisonment between 1 and 5 years, or for the aggravating forms, with imprisonment from 2 to 7 years. In the current form, the same acts are punishable by a fine or imprisonment from 3 months to 2 years”, it is mentioned at the end of the statement.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and the Minister of the Interior, Lucian Bode, submitted a draft law that eliminates the possibility of fines in case of outrage or disturbance of public peace. These offenses would only be punishable by imprisonment.
(source: Mediafax)
