The Association for the Defence of Human Rights in Romania –the Helsinki Committee (APADOR-CH) is a non-governmental not-for-profit organization, established in 1990.

APADOR-CH wants to be an influential and principled factor of reference, in dialogue with the state authorities and in cooperation with the civil society, an active participant in changing the society and its institutions towards a democratic culture, based on the respect of human rights.

The mission of APADOR-CH is to raise the level of awareness on and respect of human rights and rule of law.

For 2009-2011, APADOR-CH’s strategic objectives are:

1. Strengthening the constituency for human rights with political actors, in media and with the general public;
2. Improving the practices regarding the legal protection of vulnerable groups against discrimination;
3. Developing efficient mechanisms to ensure the rights of persons deprived of liberty;
4. Increasing transparency of administration;
5. Improving reasoning and transparency of judicial decisions;
6. Eliminating unjustified state interference with the NGOs’ associational life;
7. Reacting to human rights threats.

To these aims, APADOR-CH:

- drafts comments on and recommendations to amend laws/draft bills with impact on civil  rights and liberties
- carries out fact-finding missions for monitoring the detention conditions in penitentiaries and police lock-ups;
- carries out fact-finding missions in relevant cases of violation of the right to life, the right not to be tortured or subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment, the right to liberty and security of person;
- carries out strategic litigation before domestic courts and the European Court of Human Rights
- initiates and carries out campaigns on raising public awareness on human rights issues;

- is in dialogue with competent public authorities and institutions
-  provides information for persons wanting to send applications to the European Court of Human Rights;

- carries out any other relevant activity.

APADOR-CH shall not limit its activities to Romania, but shall also actively identify opportunities to expand its activity, through local partners, in the neighboring areas (Republic of Moldova, West Balkans, Black Sea region).

The Board members of APADOR-CH are:

- Ion Iacoş;
- Romaniţa Iordache;
- Edwin Rekosh; - Dorina Zoon

The team of APADOR-CH:

-Diana Olivia Hatneanu - Executive Director, lawyer;
- Manuela Ştefănescu – expert;
- Dan Mihai – expert, lawyer;
- Nicoleta Popescu – expert, lawyer;
- Raluca Stăncescu-Cojocaru – expert, lawyer;
- Maria-Nicoleta Andreescu – expert, sociologist;
- Silvia Gheorghe – economist;
- Laura Goran – financial assistant ;
- Adelina Boboşatu - project assistant.