Romania, with a population of 20 million, is a constitutional republic with a democratic, multi-party parliamentary system. It is a staunch NATO ally and one of the most recent countries to join the European Union.

Government corruption remained a widespread problem that affected all sections of society, although in recent years many officials, including high-ranking officials from across the political spectrum, have been prosecuted for corruption. Systematic societal discrimination against Roma affected their access to adequate education, housing, health care, and employment opportunities. Elections have generally met OSCE standards, notwithstanding irregularities

Among human rights issues the Commission has addressed over the years in hearings, meetings, and visits are the situation of the Romani and other minorities; religious and other property restitution and compensation issues; corruption; care for the disabled; the welfare of Romanian orphans and abandoned children; and Romania’s ban on intercountry adoptions, a topic that was addressed in several Commission hearings in the mid-2000s. In the early-mid 1980s, the Commission was very active in facilitating Romanian-U.S. family reunification cases.