HELSINKI COMMISSION TO EXAMINE STATE OF CARE FOR DISABLED IN ROMANIA

(Washington) – Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission), announce that the Commission will hold a hearing entitled “Care for the Disabled in Romania” on September 13, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

In the early 1990s, images of Romanian children tied to cribs -- neglected, underfed, and often languishing in their own filth -- shocked the world and prompted calls for radical reform of Romania's care for disabled and disadvantaged children. The hearing will examine Romanian governmental and non-governmental perspectives on the current state of care of persons with disabilities in Romania.

The witnesses confirmed to testify at the hearing are: Silviu G. Didilescu, President, Romanian National Authority for Persons with Disabilities; Eric Rosenthal, Executive Director, Mental Disabilities Rights International; and Cristian Ispas, Founder and Director of Motivation Romania International and National Director of Special Olympics Romania Foundation.

For additional information about the hearing, please contact Shelly Han or Mark Kearney at (202) 225-1901.

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the 1975 Helsinki Accords.