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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