A liberal lawmaker in Brussels and Roma rights advocates Wednesday demanded
an apology from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi over his calls for "zero
tolerance" towards Roma, illegal immigrants and criminals. Berlusconi made the
comments at the start of the election campaign leading to next April's general
election, in which he is vying for a third term in office.
In a statement made available in Brussels, Member of the European Parliament
Viktoria Mohacsi said: "These words are simply shameful and unacceptable from
the former prime minister of an EU member state."
Mohacsi said public figures should refrain from making statements "that
encourage or incite to hate and stigmatisation of the Roma on the basis of their
ethnic origin."
Her comments were backed by dozens of non-governmental organizations
representing the rights of some 10 million Roma living in Europe (more
here...).
Berlusconi has since defended his comments.
"I don't think that talking about zero tolerance towards Roma and illegal
immigrants is about racism," he said on Porta a Porta, a political chat show
broadcast on Tuesday by Italy's RAI1 television network.
The media magnate and former premier, who heads a centre-right coalition,
again accused Roma camps of breeding criminals.
