EP Tells France to Stop Roma Expulsions

A picture dated 19 August 2010 of Romanian Gypsies arriving at Bucharest Airport, Romania, after having accepted voluntary repatriation from France. 300 illegal camps have been dismantled in recent weeks by French authorities. Photo by EPA/BGNES

France should "immediately" suspend its controversial Roma-expulsion policy, the European Parliament demanded in a resolution approved on Thursday.

The resolution, presented by socialist, liberal, green and hard-left groups, was approved with 377 votes in favour, 245 against and 51 abstentions.

EU lawmakers expressed "deep concern" for measures "taken by French authorities and by other (EU) member states authorities" and urged "those authorities immediately to suspend all expulsions of Roma."

The also called on the EU's executive, the European Commission, on the Council of EU states and on individual EU governments "to intervene with the same request."

The resolution, dubbed 'On the expulsion of Roma from France,' urges Paris to suspend immediately all expulsions of Roma, while urging the European Commission and other EU member states to intervene. The resolution also refers to other countries, like Italy, where Roma are facing difficulties. It also says the EU has acted too little, too late.

A competing resolution tabled by the centre-right European People's Party group and members of the European Conservatives and Reformists group stresses that Roma are subject to rights and obligations.

More diplomatically titled 'On the situation of the Roma people in Europe and violation of the law on freedom of movement,' the draft resolution sets out the conditions needed for a European citizen to stay in another EU country for more than three months.

But it was defeated in a 287-328 vote, with 328 abstentions.

The European Commission has been accused of failing to protect members of the Roma community deported from France. Euro MPs demand to know if Paris has broken any laws, warning that other countries might take similar action.

Almost 8,300 Romanian and Bulgarian nationals have now been expelled from France since the beginning of the year. Close to 10,000 were expelled in 2009.

French officials have said the deportations are part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Additional chartered flights are scheduled for September 14 and 30.

The crackdown has sparked major criticism at home and abroad. Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin said Sarkozy's policies had left a "stain of shame" on the French flag and were a "national indignity."

Roma from Romania and Bulgaria are allowed free passage into France if they are European Union citizens. After that, however, they must find work, start studies, or find some other way of becoming established in France or risk deportation.

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