Romanian High Court Outlaws Unsanctioned Public Gatherings - Ruling

CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice ruled on Monday that the organization of unsanctioned public gatherings runs counter to national legislation.

In July, the Bucharest Court of Appeal notified the High Court of Cassation and Justice that there was no uniform practice of interpreting a law on public gatherings. As a result, the issue of imposing fines on rally organizers and participants remained unregulated.

"There is legal liability to give prior notice about public gatherings if they are held at squares or public roads," the court ruling said.

Commenting on the decision, Evolutia in Institutie public organization, which supports street protests, slammed it. According to the organization, "the ruling gives gendarmes a green light to impose fines and use force if a protest rally was not sanctioned, even if it is peaceful."

The leader of the opposition Save Romania Union party, Dan Barna, in turn said that the ruling was "devoid of logic." Barna argued that citizens have the right for spontaneous protests.

Once the court ruling is published in the Official Gazette of Romania, it will enter into force and become binding for other courts.