Abstract: In the anniversary of the Brasov revolts, and two years after the violent repression on the part of the Ceausescu regime, the human rights situation in Romania has progressively become worse. Radical militants of various nationalities, countries and political organisations demonstrated in defence of human rights, on 15 November, in east and west (in front of the Romanian embassies in: Moscow, Rome, Budapest, Brussels, Prague, Madrid, Warsaw, Lisbon) to request the respect of the Helsinki Act at the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, subscribed also by Romania, which contains precise guarantees and protection of human rights and fundamental liberty.

Herewith an account of the demonstrations in the east.

MOSCOW

Over a 100 people participated in the demonstration, including one American. Exactly after three minutes, the police intervened, arresting 15 people, almost every one of them belonging to the Radical Party, including Evghenja Debrianskaja and Essug Huora, of the United States of America. The process against the 15 arrested persons took place in the early hours of the afternoon, and two of them - Clemenko Elena and Nicolaj Stromberger - were sentenced to seven days in prison. All the others were charged fines ranging from 50-300 roubles. Evghenja had to pay the highest fine, with 1000 roubles. During the demonstration the Soviet radicals were able to distribute a document in defence of the victims of repression in Romania. Television cameras were seen but the demonstrators were unable to say if they belonged to the police or the press.

BUDAPEST

The demonstration, promoted by the Radical Party, and joined by the Hungarian organisations Fidesz, party from October, the Hungarian Popular Party, Committee 6 October, Independent Trade Union, Hungarian Social Democratic Party, the Baicy Czilinszky Association, was attended by nearly 2000 people. Torchlight processions were held in front of the Romanian embassy. After the meeting a tent was erected and five Romanians began a fast for eight days to denounce the re-election of Nicolae Ceausescu and the perpetuation of a regime imposed by the armed forces of Stalin. "We are governed by incompetent, ill-intentioned persons - wrote the fasters - who attach themselves desperately to the scepture and the communist chimera, while democratisation develops in Eastern Europe, ... We appeal to world public opinion, to the conscience of the democratic world, to unite in solidarity with the Romanian peoples and not to forget that in Europe today, a country still exists in darkness and in the chains of Stalin". The

news of the demonstration and the photographs of the demonstrators appeared in the front pages of all Hungarian newspapers.

PRAGUE

Over a 100 people demonstrated, with torches and a large band with the writing, "Ceausescu, you make Stalin happy!" under the eyes of the police who only interfered to request the demonstrators to move onto the footpath in front of the embassy. Although young, many demonstrators belonging to the Independent Pacificist Movement and to the Movement for Civil Freedom did not allow themselves to be intimidated by the police who asked them for documents. Present at the demonstration were ANSA, the news agencies, the Hungarian radio and a German TV who were asked to move away.

WARSAW

The demonstration was attended by about 40 people and a large number of photographers, journalists, and press organs. The police did not interfere and the event thus took place peacefully.