Opposition MPs want communist organizations, propaganda banned by law in Romania

Two MPs representing the opposition party Save Romania Union (USR) submitted to the Parliament a draft law that targets the banning of communist organizations and propaganda in Romania.

The project comes to “repair an injustice,” as it wants the communist propaganda to be included in the same legal regime as the fascist and legionary propaganda and activity, according to a press release from USR.

“It is abnormal for Romania to treat differently the two totalitarianisms that have ravaged it in the twentieth century,” the press release reads.

The legislative proposal aims to ban the establishment of communist organizations, the public promotion of communist doctrine, the denial of communist crimes or this regime’s effects, but also the spread of communist symbols, except for activities carried out in the interest of art, science, research or debate on a matter of public interest.

“The crimes of communism have been condemned at political level but the communist activity hasn’t been banned by law. This project would be a guarantee for the Romanians that the restoration of the totalitarian communist regime would not happen again,” USR MP Cristian Ghinea, one of the project’s initiators, said.

The draft law proposes prison sentences of up to ten years for promoting communist ideas and doctrines, local Mediafax reported. The Senate is the first chamber of the Parliament to discuss this project.

(Photo source: Facebook / Parlamentul Romaniei-Camera Deputatilor)