A/HRC/14/30/Add.2 I. Introduction 1. The Special Rapporteur visited Romania from 15 to 20 June 2009 at the invitation of the Government. Based on the information gathered, this report examines the protection afforded to migrants by the Government of Romania in the light of international human rights standards, presents major trends in the migration phenomenon, highlights key challenges and good practices and makes recommendations. 2. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur consulted Government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Administration and Interior; the Ministry of Labour, Family and Equal Opportunity (hereinafter “Ministry of Labour”); the National Council against Discrimination; the National People’s Advocate Institution; the Senate’s Committee for Human Rights, Cults and Minorities; the National Authority for the Protection of Children’s Rights and the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons (NAATP). 3. The Special Rapporteur conducted field trips to Galati, Constanta, Tulcea, Otopeni and Pitesti where he consulted with Government officials and, in some instances, with nongovernmental organizations, migrant inmates and victims of trafficking in persons. In Constanta, the Special Rapporteur visited a NAATP centre and was briefed by the Brigade of Countering Organized Criminality on the implementation at the county level of the programme of protection for victims of trafficking in persons, as well as on local activities to counter the smuggling of migrants, human trafficking and forced labour. In Otopeni, he also visited a short-term accommodation centre for migrants where he interviewed inmates on a random basis. At the Government’s initiative, he also visited the Danube Delta near the border with Ukraine. 4. The Special Rapporteur also held consultations with the United Nations Resident Coordinator and representatives of the United Nations Development Programme; the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Population Fund. He met with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Committee of the Red Cross, non-governmental organizations and research institutions. 5. The Special Rapporteur expresses his appreciation to the Government of Romania, especially to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Romania in Geneva, as well as to the United Nations country team and other United Nations officials for their cooperation in the organization and conduct of the visit. He also thanks all stakeholders for their time and cooperation. II. General background: The migration phenomenon in Romania 6. Migration patterns in Romania have changed over time. From being at the crossroads of migration, with the fall of the communist regime, Romania has become primarily a country of origin of emigration flows. Romania is also nowadays a country of transit for those moving towards Western Europe and is emerging as a country of labour immigration and asylum-seeking. 7. Emigration flows have stimulated the national economy but have also posed challenges to Romania. Protection challenges include specific groups such as the Romanian diaspora, children (especially those left behind by migrating parents) and those sectors of 4 GE.10-12102