Romanian organisations condemn France's anti-Roma move
Romanian rights groups on Thursday blasted France’s decision to tear down Roma camps and expel Roma people who break the law, saying it was a "human rights violation."
"France’s decision to expel Roma communities without treating people case by case is a violation of human rights," Magda Matache, head of the Romani Criss non-governmental organisation, told AFP.
"Each case must be treated individually," she insisted, criticising the "lack of cooperation between France and Romania for establishing joint policies for Romas’ integration."
Matache said Romania has tried to make "a European issue out of the Roma question", while Paris tried to put full responsibility for the situation on Bucharest.
On Wednesday, before France’s decision, Prime minister Emil Boc said Romania and the other European countries "have a mutual obligation concerning the Roma issues."
Foreign Affairs minister Teodor Baconschi also stressed that the nine million Roma living in the European Union were "European citizens" and their freedom of movement could not be impeded.
"Saying that Roma who committed crimes will be expelled is a severe violation of the freedom of movement. The word ‘crime’ can be interpreted and can lead to abuses," Gelu Duminica, head of the association Impreuna (Together), told AFP.
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