Romanian orphans
Encyclopedia
The standard of living for Romanian orphans is still grave despite vast improvements since their conditions were leaked to the West after the fall of the Communist government in 1989. A news report on the American newsmagazine 20/20, which first aired on October 5, 1990, was the first to show the conditions in full detail on television.
Under Nicolae Ceauşescu
, both abortion
and contraception
were forbidden, leading to a rise in birth rates. This resulted in many children being abandoned and these were joined in the orphanages by disabled and mentally ill people. Together these vulnerable groups were subjected to institutionalised neglect and abuse, including physical and sexual abuse and use of drugs to control behaviour.
The conditions in orphanages had declined after 1982, as a result of Ceauşescu's decision to seize much of the country's economic output in order to repay its foreign debt.
As the realities of life in Romanian orphanages emerged after December 1989, the reaction outside Romania was of shock at the plight of the orphans, and numerous charities were established. Numerous fund-raising activities have been conducted by various parties, such as the 1990 album Nobody's Child: Romanian Angel Appeal
, which was compiled by George
and Olivia Harrison for AIDS-infected orphans.
In 2006, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
was criticised for a joke in which he said there were so many orphans "over there you feel they breed them just to put in orphanages."
In September 2005, Emma Nicholson, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne
, the European Parliament
's rapporteur
for Romania, stated "Romania has profoundly reformed [from top to bottom] its child protection system and has evolved from one of the worst systems in Europe to one of the best. Countries like Ukraine could learn a lot today from the Romanian example."
In an accession report published prior to November 2005, European Union
observers were positive regarding the situation of the child care system in Romania.
Deinstitutionalisaing them had been made a condition of Romanian entry into the European Union
, but an investigation by BBC journalist Chris Rogers in 2009 revealed that conditions in some institutions are still very poor and large numbers of institutionalised and traumatised people are still held in inadequate conditions, with many apparently having entered the system post-Ceauşescu. In early 2011 two British
charities Hope and Homes for Children
and ARK
launched a plan to complete the reform of the Romanian Child Protection Systems and close all large children's homes in Romania by 2020.
Romania have the highest number in Europe and specially in EU of orphaned children in age between 0-18.
Number of children in the care of the state in the year 1990-2010.
Under Nicolae Ceauşescu
Nicolae Ceausescu
Nicolae Ceaușescu was a Romanian Communist politician. He was General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 to 1989, and as such was the country's second and last Communist leader...
, both abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and contraception
Contraception
Contraception is the prevention of the fusion of gametes during or after sexual activity. The term contraception is a contraction of contra, which means against, and the word conception, meaning fertilization...
were forbidden, leading to a rise in birth rates. This resulted in many children being abandoned and these were joined in the orphanages by disabled and mentally ill people. Together these vulnerable groups were subjected to institutionalised neglect and abuse, including physical and sexual abuse and use of drugs to control behaviour.
Conditions
Orphanages lacked both medicines and washing facilities, and children were subject to sexual and physical abuse.The conditions in orphanages had declined after 1982, as a result of Ceauşescu's decision to seize much of the country's economic output in order to repay its foreign debt.
As the realities of life in Romanian orphanages emerged after December 1989, the reaction outside Romania was of shock at the plight of the orphans, and numerous charities were established. Numerous fund-raising activities have been conducted by various parties, such as the 1990 album Nobody's Child: Romanian Angel Appeal
Nobody's Child: Romanian Angel Appeal
- Notes :* On the included performance, the All-Starr Band consisted of Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Billy Preston, Dr. John, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Jim Keltner, Clarence Clemons, and Zak Starkey....
, which was compiled by George
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
and Olivia Harrison for AIDS-infected orphans.
In 2006, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
was criticised for a joke in which he said there were so many orphans "over there you feel they breed them just to put in orphanages."
In September 2005, Emma Nicholson, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne
Emma Nicholson, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne
Emma Harriet Nicholson, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne is a British politician. Formerly the Conservative then Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Torridge and West Devon she is a now life peer, and a former Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for South East England.-Early...
, the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
's rapporteur
Rapporteur
Rapporteur is used in international and European legal and political contexts to refer to a person appointed by a deliberative body to investigate an issue or a situation....
for Romania, stated "Romania has profoundly reformed [from top to bottom] its child protection system and has evolved from one of the worst systems in Europe to one of the best. Countries like Ukraine could learn a lot today from the Romanian example."
In an accession report published prior to November 2005, European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
observers were positive regarding the situation of the child care system in Romania.
Deinstitutionalisaing them had been made a condition of Romanian entry into the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, but an investigation by BBC journalist Chris Rogers in 2009 revealed that conditions in some institutions are still very poor and large numbers of institutionalised and traumatised people are still held in inadequate conditions, with many apparently having entered the system post-Ceauşescu. In early 2011 two British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charities Hope and Homes for Children
Hope and Homes for Children
Hope and Homes for Children is a British registered charity working with children, their families and communities across 10 countries in Eastern Europe and Africa. to help children grow up in safe and productive environments...
and ARK
Absolute Return for Kids
Absolute Return for Kids is an international children's charity based in the United Kingdom.ARK is a registered charity under English law and is based in London...
launched a plan to complete the reform of the Romanian Child Protection Systems and close all large children's homes in Romania by 2020.
Romania have the highest number in Europe and specially in EU of orphaned children in age between 0-18.
Number of children in the care of the state in the year 1990-2010.
| # | year | Total children in care of the state. | Number living in Orphanages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1990 | 47,405 | 25870 |
| 2. | 1994 | 52986 | |
| 3. | 1997 | 51,468 | 39569 |
| 4. | 1998 | 55,641 | 38597 |
| 5. | 1999 | 57,087 | 33356 |
| 6. | 2000 | 87,753 | 57181 |
| 7. | 2001 | 87,889 | 57060 |
| 8. | 2002 | 87,867 | 49965 |
| 9. | 2003 | 86,379 | 43092 |
| 10. | 2004 | 84,445 | 37660 |
| 11. | 2005 | 83,059 | 32821 |
| 12. | 2006 | 78,766 | 28786 |
| 13. | 2007 | 73,793 | 26599 |
| 14. | 2008 | 71,047 | 24979 |
| 15. | 2009 | 68,858 | 24227 |
| 16. | 2010 | 62,000 | 19000 |