Romania: Protests against proposal to pardon prisoners

Government says move is needed to reduce overcrowded prisons, but opposition allege it will set back anti-graft drive.

Thousands of Romanians have protested against government plans to grant prison pardons and decriminalise some offences through emergency decrees that could weaken an anti-corruption drive.
In the capital, Bucharest, about 3,000 people carrying signs that say "We see you" and chanting "In a democracy, thieves stay in prison" marched toward the government building on Wednesday.
The government, which took office after a December parliamentary election, has cited a need to get the criminal code in line with recent constitutional court rulings.

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It has also said granting pardons would help ease the burden of Romania's overcrowded prisons.
Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu wants to implement the measure through an emergency ordinance which would bypass parliament and would not require the president's signature
Critics have raised concerns about legislating via decree rather than going through parliament, where the government has a solid majority but would face a challenging debate. Decrees come into effect immediately.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Klaus Iohannis urged ministers not to amend the criminal code via decree and sought to ease concerns about backsliding on commitments to tackle corruption.
"There are two elephants in the room and no one is talking about them: the emergency pardoning decree and the decree that changes criminal codes," Iohannis, a centrr-right leader, said at the start of the cabinet meeting.
"I stress that ... the prime minister is committed not to introduce such issues overnight at any government meeting."
The drafts of the decrees showed an intent to pardon convictions of less than five years for several crimes. The government also aims to decriminalise abuse of power that has caused budget damage of less than $47,522.
The proposal could affect 2,500 prisoners.
Prisoners over 60, pregnant women and inmates with young children would see their sentences halved, regardless of their conviction.