EC Moves Against France On Roma
- September 30th, 2010
- Posted by EUEditor
The European Commission has started its legal proceedings against France over the country’s treatment of the Roma community.
The Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding, said the French government was not enforcing European law as it should, on free movement of people, and so the infringement proceedings had been launched.
“This needs to be corrected; that is why the Commission has acted formallyâ€, she said (29.9.10).
The French police have been sent to remove Roma, or gypsy people from several camps around the country, and they are being deported to Bulgaria and Romania.
Under the treaties of association of European Union member states, citizens are free to travel across borders, to work and live in other.
The Commission has asked the French government for specific information on its policy implementation, saying it will act if the demand has not been met by 15.10.10.
An action in the European Court could end in heavy fines against the French state if successful.
The issue provoked arguments at the European summit last week, between the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Ms Reding had initially called the deportations in France redolent of the deportations in Europe under Nazi occupation, later withdrawing the comparison.
French officials said this week they noted the European Commission was not accusing them of discrimination against the Roma.
Reference
BBC News, London, “EU warns France of legal action over Romaâ€, 29.9.10. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11437361, (30.9.10).
European Voice, Brussels, “Reding: I have not apologised to Franceâ€, 23.9.10.