AI Index: EUR39/08/98

Act. Ref: EERAN 15/97

Date: 5 March 1998

ROMANIA:

MARIANA CETINER- PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE

RELEASED

According to information recieved by Amnesty International from the Romanian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mariana Cetiner was released from prison on 3 March 1998 by Presidential decree. She had been adopted by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience after she was sentenced to three years' imprisonment solely because of her homosexuality.

Amnesty International welcomes the release of Mariana Cetiner. The organisation continues to seek from the Romanian authorities information on others currently detained under Article 200, paragraphs 1 and 5 of the Romanian Penal Code, as well as to urge the Romanian Parliament to revise this law so that it is in accordance with international human rights standards.