France Seeks to Extradite Roma Immigrants Back to Bulgaria, Romania

Roma child in France. Roma immigrants from Bulgaria and Romania live in dire conditions, says French Interior Minister Valls. Photo by BGNES

French interior minister has reasserted his position that the lifestyle of the Bulgarian Roma residing in France is at odds with the lifestyle of the French, therefore people with Roma origin do not fit in and should leave France.

"We should not discriminate against anybody, but we also must face the reality of the situation with the Roma in France", said Manuel Valls, French Interior Minister.

"The Roma population' lifestyle is in "confrontation" with that of the French", pointed out Valls, adding that people of Roma origin "live in dire conditions".

The Minister confirmed his previously announced position that the Roma should go back to to where they come from, either Bulgaria or Romania.

Valls answered his critics, accusing him of being too harsh and even "racist" on the Roma immigrants in France by saying that his words only shock people who "are not familiar with the problem".

Meanwhile, Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner responsible for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship disapproved the ongoing anti-Roma rhetoric in France, labeling it as "an election campaign" that politicians in France use to make themselves more popular with the voters.

"Whenever politicians do not feel comfortable to discuss serious topics as the government's budget policy and debt, they turn to the one of Roma immigration issues", said Reding.

Roma people have the right to move freely within the EU and the only justified reason for their extradition from any given European country could only be a breach of the law, added the Commissioner.

Her statement comes after Valls announced that French government's policy to the Roma will be to dismantle their camps throughout the country and extradite them back to Bulgaria and Romania.

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