Romanian care homes scandal spotlights abuse described as ‘inhumane and degrading’

By STEPHEN McGRATH and VADIM GHIRDA
Associated Press

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A string of disturbing revelations of “inhumane and degrading” maltreatment of older and disabled people at Romanian care homes have sparked concerns over the country’s capacity to adequately care for its socially vulnerable. The sprawling scandal has erupted over the past month. The discovery of systematic neglect and abuse of residents living in squalid conditions at several care facilities has forced two Cabinet members to resign over what Romanian media have dubbed the “horror homes” scandal. They also revived disturbing memories of an orphanage scandal that captured international attention after the country’s communist dictatorship collapsed in 1989.