The Romanian state is obliged to recognize the gender identity of transgender individuals in official documents, following a final decision by courts in Bucharest. The case is considered by human rights organizations as a historic one, according to Europa FM.
The Sector 6 Court and the Bucharest Tribunal have ruled that the Romanian state must issue a new birth certificate to Arian Mirzarafie-Ahi, a young person with dual Romanian and British citizenship, reflecting his gender identity already recognized in the UK prior to Brexit.
The case was initially heard by the Sector 6 Court, which ruled in favor, and the decision became final after the Bucharest Tribunal rejected appeals filed by the Cluj Directorate for Person Records and the General Directorate for Person Records.
Through this ruling, the court confirms the right of a transgender person to be recognized in official documents in accordance with their gender identity.
Ignored European Obligation
The court's decision is in line with the European jurisprudence established by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which ruled back in 2024 that member states are obligated to recognize the identity documents of transgender individuals who have undergone a legal gender recognition process in another EU state.
However, in practice, Romanian authorities have either refused or delayed the implementation of these decisions, leading to numerous court cases.
The ruling in this case sets an important precedent and could compel a change in administrative practice in Romania.
Pressure on Parliament
Human rights organizations consider the decision as a landmark one, in a context where Romania consistently ranks poorly in the European Union in terms of protecting the rights of LGBT individuals, as reported by the source.
Simultaneously, dozens of civic organizations have called on the Romanian Parliament to adopt a civil partnership law that would be open to all unmarried couples.