The Association for the Defense of Human Rights in Romania – Helsinki Committee (APADOR-CH) announced that it has sued the Government of Romania, through the General Secretariat (SGG), after the institution refused to provide information considered to be of public interest regarding military aid granted to Ukraine.
APADOR-CH requested from the Government, in September 2025, the number and date of the resolutions approving military aid for Ukraine, as well as details about their classification – who classified them, by what act, and on what date. Although the request did not concern the content of the resolutions or operational information, but only minimal administrative data, the Government refused to respond, invoking that they are „information exempt from public access”, as stated in the association’s press release.
"The mere existence of a resolution and its number cannot be considered secret information," emphasizes the organization, accusing the Executive of "an absurd and abusive practice."
APADOR-CH recalls that this is not the first time the Government has refused to disclose minimal information about normative acts. Similar situations have been encountered in previous years, including in the case of the travel expenses of the former President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, for which authorities also invoked reasons for secrecy.
Over 20 years since the first transparency lawsuit
The Association also recalls a precedent from 2002 when it won a lawsuit against SGG in court for declassifying the government meeting transcripts. At that time, the institution was led by the current Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan. The court then ordered Bolojan to be fined for each day of delay in communicating public information.
"It is regrettable that, after more than 20 years, we find ourselves in the same situation: the Government of Romania refuses to respect the law and the citizens' right to public interest information," APADOR-CH conveys.
The organization believes that the current Executive continues a "tradition of opacity" unrelated to national security protection but only aimed at limiting public access to how governance operates and state funds are spent.
23 packages sent to Ukraine. Why is the aid secret
Minister of Defense, Ionuț Moșteanu, explained at the beginning of September that the decision to classify information about the military aid offered to Ukraine belongs to the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT).
"Regarding military equipment, there were 23 packages sent to Ukraine, established together with the Ukrainian army, based on their equipment needs and the availability and stocks of the Romanian Army. There are some classified lists. This was decided in CSAT at a certain moment," Moșteanu stated.
Asked why Romanian citizens cannot find out what type of aid Romania provided, the minister replied that this decision "pertains to military strategy", emphasizing that "it's not good to loudly announce what you have depleted from your depots."