European Parliament tells France to stop deporting Roma

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) – The European Parliament on Thursday demanded France and other state members to suspend indefinitely the Roma expulsions as it represents a violation of a European Union (EU) law.

The Parliament expressed its deep concern at the recent measures taken by the French government and other EU member states regarding the mass Roma expulsion in the last weeks. The European body said that the mass expulsions and fingerprints collection are illegal as they amount to discrimination on the basis of race.

Furthermore, the European Parliament heavily criticized the European Council and the European Commission’s lack of commitment on the issue. It labeled the reaction of the Commission as late and limited.

“The Parliament rejects any statements which link minorities and immigration with criminality and create discriminatory stereotypes as well as the inflammatory and openly discriminatory rhetoric lending credibility to racist statements and the actions of extreme right-wing groups,” the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) said.

The EU legislation on free movement stipulates that the lack of economic means cannot justify the automatic expulsion of EU citizens. Restrictions on freedom of movement can be only imposed due to personal conduct and not for ethnic or national origin.

According to the MEPs, the European Commission should verify the consistency of Member States’ actions with EU law. It also should stand firmly behind the values and principles promoted in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Treaties.

The Parliament also regretted that the Commission has not responded to their requests for an EU strategy on the Roma yet. Only three ministers attended the second Roma summit last Apirl 8 in Cordoba, Spain.

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