Members of the Birmingham Romanian community came out to to rally against a decree decriminalising some forms of corruption in Romania (Photograph: Davina James)
Birmingham Romanian residents came together on Thursday to stand in solidarity with their fellow countryfolk in the southeastern European nation of Romania, where protests are taking place against a new decree passed by the government to decriminalise and pardon officials currently in jail for corruption while in office.
It has been made law that corruption while in office will no longer be a crime as long as the amount of ‘damages’ is below £38,000. Romanians across the globe have protested and stood in solidarity over this.
Romania’s government has rejected calls to withdraw the decree. Critics have stated that the move marks a major retreat on anti-corruption reforms. Nationwide protests in the country entered a third day last night, as solidarity protests have also taken place across the world.
The country’s new Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu has so far refused to repeal the controversial measure, despite the biggest protests since the fall of communism.
There are an estimated 220,000 residents of Romanian heritage living and working in the UK. Although most live in London, there is a sizeable Romanian community in Midlands towns and cities. In Birmingham, protesters gathered in Victoria Square, outside the Council House.
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Members of the Birmingham Romanian community protesting in Victoria Square (Photograph: Davina James)
A man holds up a placard at a community protest in Birmingham against a government decree in Romania (Photograph: Davina James)
Protesters gathered outside the Council House in Birmingham on Thursday evening to challenge a Romanian emergency decree will see dozens of officials jailed for corruption freed (Photograph: Davina James)
Romanian Brummies stood in solidarity with their fellow country folk who are now in their third day of protests in Romania (Photograph: Davina James)
Protesters held aloft placards in Birmingham to protest a Romania government pardon of officials guilty of corruption (Photograph: Davina James)
