PNL Deputy Chairman, Gigel Ştirbu, has announced that he will propose, at the party’s next Executive Bureau sitting, a draft by which Romanians will be able express their opinions publicly anywhere and at any time. He said on Monday it is inadmissible that citizens should not have this right, 28 years after the Revolution.
“It is possible that the bill will amend Law 60/1991 on the organization and conduct of public gatherings. To which the High Court of Cassation and Justice pointed to. It is inadmissible that 28 years after the events of 1989 the Romanians have no right to say their point of view, anywhere, anytime. It is clear that something needs to change, society has evolved, we live in a participatory democracy, people cannot be held away from political decision for four years, and every four years they are requested to express their point of view. People feel they need to state their point of view every day on all the decisions that concern them first of all, their lives and their fate, and so I do not think that any conscientious politician could be against such a legislative draft,” PNL’s Gigel Ştirbu said on Monday.
“It is unacceptable that in the 21st century, in 2018, the year of the Centenary, to block the Romanians to state their free opinion. It’s an inalienable right from my point of view. From an organizational and statutory point of view, being an extremely important decision, we need first of all the decision of the Executive Bureau, and there will be a solution. We will file a new legislative draft, or on amending the Law 60/1991,” Ştirbu added.
The move comes as on Monday, the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ – Supreme Court) admitted an appeal for the interest of the law filed by the Bucharest Court of Appeals leading college. Thus, the organisers of public gatherings have the obligation to declare the them to the public authorities, when they are to be carried out in squares or on public roads or in other places situated nearby the offices or houses of legal persons of public or private interest.
Thus, the organisers are to file with the city hall a written statement, at least 3 days before the gathering, mentioning the organisers, the purpose, the place, date, start hour and duration of the gathering, the access and exit routes, the approximate number of participants, the persons authorized to ensure and responsible for the organization, the services requested from the city hall and from the local Police.
The contraventions provided by letters a)-c) sanction by imprisonment to 6 months or by fines from RON 50,000 to RON 200,000, and the ones provided by letters d)-k) with imprisonment from one to 3 months or by fines from RON 10,000 to RON 50,000.