to step up food, energy and fuel supplies to the people. Certain laws had been abolished and measures had been taken to assist industry, while the energy quotas allotted to the population, especially with regard to natural gas and petroleum products, had been increased at the expense of certain large consumers. Social measures had also been adopted in such areas as maternity leave, and other provisions with an excessively depressive effect on wages had been abolished. 72. In the field of human rights, about a hundred repressive or restrictive laws had been repealed or amended, such as the laws on land division ("systematization"), the decrees on farming activities and the law prohibiting foreign credit. Other legislative provisions prohibiting individuals from taking part in international life, such as the regulations concerning telephone calls to foreign countries, payment in foreign currency, international rail links and postal services had been abolished. With the introduction of the new system of passport delivery, all individuals now had freedom of movement and could possess a passport which they were entitled to keep, and a decree-law had been adopted on the subject of the repatriation of Romanian citizens. E/CN.4/1990/SR.16 page 17 73. The political pluralism that had been established meant the participation of all the creative forces of the nation in the construction of a modem society which must involve participation by the people. Some 30 political parties, as well as free trade unions and professional associations, had already been formed. 74. The new democracy was based on the equal rights of all citizens; the rights of persons belonging to national minorities were a constant concern; a law on the subject was to be passed in the near future and a ministry for minorities set up. 75. The draft electoral Act and the new Constitution would be the subject of 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the measures taken by a government to improve the lives of its citizens, focusing on economic, social, and political changes. The government has taken steps to increase supplies of food, energy, and fuel, abolished restrictive laws, and introduced new laws to promote human rights and political pluralism.

**Category**
Economic development, Human rights, Employment