Viorel Pasca, founder of the care facilities in Dumbrava, Bihor County - currently under DIICOT investigation - has published an open letter addressed to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, in which he challenges the statements made in the Commissioner's letter to the Romanian Prime Minister regarding the Dumbrava case and argues that the European official relied on unverified information.

In the open letter posted on Facebook, Pasca writes that he read with interest Michael O'Flaherty's message to Romania's Prime Minister and appreciates the Commissioner's concern for vulnerable persons; however, he criticises the references made to the activities carried out at the Dumbrava locations, maintaining that the Council of Europe official should have verified the information before including it in the letter.

'I don't know where you received your information from, but I believe that, regardless of the source, you should first have verified whether it is true and whether those who provided it are credible sources and have evidence to support it. Do not forget that the presumption of innocence should also apply in Romania,' Pasca wrote.

Responding to the letter's mention of 'illegal homes', Pasca rejects the characterisation, noting: 'I can tell you that Dumbrava has never operated as a centre or care home. All locations were, in fact, residential houses in which Romanian citizens lived and had their domicile. None of them lived there illegally, none were detained, abused or tortured as has been alleged in mass media. Those who wished to leave did so whenever they wanted, and they returned of their own free will whenever they wished.'

Pasca further disapproves of the manner in which, in his view, information about the activities in Dumbrava was collected and disseminated, asserting that some publicly cited sources presented false information. He also expresses disagreement with the Commissioner's assessment of the intervention carried out by the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) in the Dumbrava case.

'If you consider such an intervention to be 'normal', necessary and justified - legally, logistically, morally or from any other point of view - then I am firmly convinced that what you have been told has no connection with reality, and that you have 'fallen into the trap' of those who supplied you with this information,' he wrote.

In conclusion, Pasca asks the Commissioner for Human Rights to carefully verify information before making public statements and argues that, in his view, it would have been appropriate to await the court's decision in the Dumbrava case. The letter is signed, 'With highest consideration, Viorel Pasca'.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, published on Tuesday a letter addressed to Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, following his visit to Romania between May 26 - 29 this year, in which he formulates a series of recommendations concerning the long-term care system for older persons, the Strasbourg-based organisation said.

The Commissioner welcomes progress in the reform of social services and the dedication of staff working in care centres for older persons. At the same time, he expresses concern regarding several challenges, including the insufficient recognition of residents as full rights-holders, the shortage of services, and the difficulties faced by vulnerable persons in accessing care.

He also draws attention to care centres operating without licences and calls for a thorough and independent investigation into the Dumbrava case. According to the letter dated July 10, the matter concerns the unlicensed care centre in the village of Dumbrava, Bihor County, which is alleged to have housed thousands of vulnerable persons in abusive conditions and where more than one thousand deaths were reportedly recorded. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Eugenia Pasca; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)