BUCHAREST, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Romania's Constitutional Court unanimously rejected on Thursday a legal challenge filed by President Nicusor Dan against a law aimed at combating antisemitism, xenophobia, and the promotion of fascist, legionary, racist, or xenophobic ideologies.
This marks Dan's first referral to the Court since taking office. He argued the law lacked clarity, especially in defining terms like "fascist" and "legionary," which he said could lead to arbitrary judicial interpretations and threaten individual freedoms.
The Court dismissed these concerns, ruling the law is "clear, precise, and predictable," and justified by its legitimate goal of protecting human dignity and democratic values.
It emphasized that ideologies responsible for historical atrocities, such as Nazism and fascism, should not be shielded by freedom of expression.
The Court added that the law aligns with European democratic standards and mirrors the legal reasoning of the European Court of Human Rights. It previously rejected a similar challenge from opposition members of Parliament earlier this month.
In response to the ruling, the Court reiterated that measures to criminalize fascist and xenophobic actions are proportionate and do not infringe on rights to free expression, access to education, or cultural participation. ■
