French Romani repatriation
Encyclopedia
The French Roma repatriation is a programme initiated in July 2010 by the Government of France
to repatriate thousands of Romania
n and Bulgaria
n Roma as part of a crackdown on illegal camps in the country. Although Bulgarian and Romanian citizens have the right to enter France without a visa, due to their countries of origin being in the European Union
, under French immigration rules they must have work or residency permits if they wish to stay longer than three months.
Since July 2010, at least 51 illegal Romani camps have been demolished, and France has repatriated at least 1,230 East European Roma to their countries of origin.
The policy has proved controversial in the European Union, with EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding
stating in a September briefing that the European Commission
may take legal action against the French government over the forced deportations, calling them "a disgrace". The subsequent row over the comments was widely reported to have overshadowed an EU summit in September 2010.
in central France. The local mayor described the disturbances as "a settling of scores between the travellers and the gendarmerie". On the same night and for a few nights thereafter, riots erupted in a Grenoble
neighborhood after pursuing French police, having been shot at on three occasions during the chase, in turn shot and killed Karim Boudouda, a 27-year-old resident involved in a robbery at the Uriage-les-Bains casino near the border with Switzerland
.
On 30 July, the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy
, made a speech in Grenoble concerning the recent events, both there and at Saint-Aignan. He criticized demonstrations against the police that occurred in both cases after perpetrators were killed while committing criminal acts and wantonly endangering police officers' live, and in this context he was reported as saying that 'he had asked the interior minister to "put an end to the wild squatting and camping of the Roma" as well as to prevent further destruction by the rioters in Grenoble. As president, he said, (he) could not accept the fact that there were 539 illegal Romani camps in his country, and he promised that half of them would be gone within three months.
The office of the President stated that local unauthorised camps were "sources of illegal trafficking, of profoundly shocking living standards, of exploitation of children for begging, of prostitution and crime". Der Spiegel
deemed this to come amidst efforts by the President's allies aimed at "keeping the issue of domestic security high on the political agenda."
Since July 2010, at least 51 Romani camps have been demolished, and France has deported at least 1,230 non-French Roma (conflating those French Roma involved in disturbances at Saint-Aignan, with Bulgarian and Romanian citizens being deported for otherwise unrelated alleged visa irregularities) providing financial incentives and travel back to Romania and Bulgaria.
Bulgarian and Romanian citizens have the right to enter France without a visa, due to their countries of origin being in the European Union
. Under French rules, like all legal immigrants, they must have work or residency permits if they wish to stay longer than three months.
José Manuel Barroso gave a speech widely interpreted as a criticism of the French policy, warning EU governments to "steer clear of racism and xenophobia". On the 9 September 2010 the European Parliament
expressed deep concern at measures taken by the French authorities and criticised the Council of the European Union
and European Commission
's lack of commitment on the issue. In a resolution tabled by the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
, The Greens–European Free Alliance and European United Left–Nordic Green Left
groups and adopted by 337 votes to 245 with 51 abstentions the parliament said the Member States in question should immediately "suspend all expulsions of Roma".
The parliament rejected 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". MEPs also argued that fingerprint
ing the Romani population is illegal and violates the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
.
Later in the week, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding
called the deportations "a disgrace", stating in a briefing on 14 September 2010 that "This is a situation I had thought Europe would not have to witness again after the Second World War", and suggesting the European Commission
may take legal action against France over the matter.
Her strong response was in part due to a French denial of a leaked file dated 5 August, sent from the Interior Ministry
to regional police chiefs, which included the instruction: "Three hundred camps or illegal settlements must be cleared within three months, Roma camps are a priority,"
The dispute between the French government and the EU Commission was widely thought to have overshadowed the EU summit opening on 16 September. Nicolas Sarkozy criticised Reding's remarks, saying "The disgusting and shameful words that were used - World War II, the evocation of the Jews - was something that shocked us deeply" . He also affirmed that his government would continue with its policy. According to Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borisov
"There was a big argument — I could also say a scandal — between the president of the European Commission and the French president". In response to Mr Sarkozy's suggestion that Viviane Reding's country of origin, Luxembourg, could accommodate the expelled Roma, its Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn
said he found the statement "malevolent".
The German chancellor Angela Merkel
was also quoted as saying "I found the tone and especially the historical comparisons unsuitable. And I hope we can find a better way." At the meeting, Barroso distanced himself from Reding's comments, but affirmed that "The prohibition of discrimination based on racial and ethnic origin is one of the EU's fundamental principles." Finland's foreign minister Alexander Stubb
commented that the summit, which has an objective of presenting a unified foreign and economic policy, risks making the EU look hypocritical: "When we promote free trade, climate change and human rights around the world we need to have our own backyard in order." Also at the summit, the French President stated that Germany too intended to initiate a programme of deporting Roma, a claim flatly denied by Germany.
Mrs Reding subsequently privately recanted the historical comparison in her initial statement. Her office apologized for the analogy. The European Commission subsequently declined to follow up on the earlier threat to sue France at the European Court of Justice, or to take other legal action on the Roma matter against France.
Romani NGO's in Turkey as well protested French government and European Union's weak response to French government's decision on the basis of human rights. Efkan Ozcimen, head of Roman NGO in Turkey was quoted saying "Unfortunately France is expelling Roman people while same France and EU advises other countries about human rights. As Romanies living in Turkey, we have all the equal rights and France should take the example of Turkey for human rights."
In November 10, 2011 the Council of Europe
condemned the expulsion as "discriminatory" and "contrary to human dignity" , publishing the decision by the European Committee of Social Rights on the complaint Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) v. France.
on October 7, 2010 reported that the French Office Central de Lutte contre la Délinquance Itinérante
(OCLDI) hold a database of French Romani known as the MENS database. The French authorities denied these claims. A formal complaint regarding this was made by lawyers representing four Romani rights groups.
Subsequent investigations were conducted both by the Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (Cnil)
, an independent body that oversees data privacy, and by the internal auditing unit in charge of overseeing data files. Both inquiries concluded that no MENS database existed or had ever existed, and the CNIL reported finding no file with ethnic information in a broader investigation of the police and gendarmerie systems.
Government of France
The government of the French Republic is a semi-presidential system determined by the French Constitution of the fifth Republic. The nation declares itself to be an "indivisible, secular, democratic, and social Republic"...
to repatriate thousands of Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n and Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n Roma as part of a crackdown on illegal camps in the country. Although Bulgarian and Romanian citizens have the right to enter France without a visa, due to their countries of origin being in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, under French immigration rules they must have work or residency permits if they wish to stay longer than three months.
Since July 2010, at least 51 illegal Romani camps have been demolished, and France has repatriated at least 1,230 East European Roma to their countries of origin.
The policy has proved controversial in the European Union, with EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding
Viviane Reding
Viviane Reding is a Luxembourgian politician, currently serving as European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Before starting a professional career as a journalist for the leading newspaper in Luxembourg, the Luxemburger Wort, she obtained a doctorate in human sciences...
stating in a September briefing that the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
may take legal action against the French government over the forced deportations, calling them "a disgrace". The subsequent row over the comments was widely reported to have overshadowed an EU summit in September 2010.
Background
On July 16, French police shot and killed a 22-year-old French Romani man who fled a police check-point by driving through it in a BMW car. In retaliation, a group later identified as 'travellers' ("Gens du voyage") attacked and pillaged the village of Saint-AignanSaint-Aignan, Loir-et-Cher
Saint-Aignan is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France.-Geography:Saint-Aignan is situated on the Cher River. The nearest town of more than 40,000 inhabitants is Blois.-Features:...
in central France. The local mayor described the disturbances as "a settling of scores between the travellers and the gendarmerie". On the same night and for a few nights thereafter, riots erupted in a Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
neighborhood after pursuing French police, having been shot at on three occasions during the chase, in turn shot and killed Karim Boudouda, a 27-year-old resident involved in a robbery at the Uriage-les-Bains casino near the border with Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
On 30 July, the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
, made a speech in Grenoble concerning the recent events, both there and at Saint-Aignan. He criticized demonstrations against the police that occurred in both cases after perpetrators were killed while committing criminal acts and wantonly endangering police officers' live, and in this context he was reported as saying that 'he had asked the interior minister to "put an end to the wild squatting and camping of the Roma" as well as to prevent further destruction by the rioters in Grenoble. As president, he said, (he) could not accept the fact that there were 539 illegal Romani camps in his country, and he promised that half of them would be gone within three months.
The office of the President stated that local unauthorised camps were "sources of illegal trafficking, of profoundly shocking living standards, of exploitation of children for begging, of prostitution and crime". Der Spiegel
Der Spiegel
Der Spiegel is a German weekly news magazine published in Hamburg. It is one of Europe's largest publications of its kind, with a weekly circulation of more than one million.-Overview:...
deemed this to come amidst efforts by the President's allies aimed at "keeping the issue of domestic security high on the political agenda."
Since July 2010, at least 51 Romani camps have been demolished, and France has deported at least 1,230 non-French Roma (conflating those French Roma involved in disturbances at Saint-Aignan, with Bulgarian and Romanian citizens being deported for otherwise unrelated alleged visa irregularities) providing financial incentives and travel back to Romania and Bulgaria.
Bulgarian and Romanian citizens have the right to enter France without a visa, due to their countries of origin being in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. Under French rules, like all legal immigrants, they must have work or residency permits if they wish to stay longer than three months.
International reaction
On 6 September, the president of the European CommissionEuropean Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
José Manuel Barroso gave a speech widely interpreted as a criticism of the French policy, warning EU governments to "steer clear of racism and xenophobia". On the 9 September 2010 the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
expressed deep concern at measures taken by the French authorities and criticised the Council of the European Union
Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union is the institution in the legislature of the European Union representing the executives of member states, the other legislative body being the European Parliament. The Council is composed of twenty-seven national ministers...
and European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
's lack of commitment on the issue. In a resolution tabled by the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats is the social-democratic political group in the European Parliament, formed by MEPs of the Party of European Socialists and allied centre-left parties. The group dates its ancestry via various names back to the beginning of the European...
, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
The Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe is the current liberal/centrist political group of the European Parliament...
, The Greens–European Free Alliance and European United Left–Nordic Green Left
European United Left–Nordic Green Left
European United Left/Nordic Green Left is a left-wing political group with seats in the European Parliament since 1995.-Position:According to its 1994 constituent declaration, the group is opposed to the present European political structure, but committed to integration...
groups and adopted by 337 votes to 245 with 51 abstentions the parliament said the Member States in question should immediately "suspend all expulsions of Roma".
The parliament rejected 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". MEPs also argued that fingerprint
Fingerprint
A fingerprint in its narrow sense is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. In a wider use of the term, fingerprints are the traces of an impression from the friction ridges of any part of a human hand. A print from the foot can also leave an impression of friction ridges...
ing the Romani population is illegal and violates the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union enshrines certain political, social, and economic rights for European Union citizens and residents, into EU law. It was drafted by the European Convention and solemnly proclaimed on 7 December 2000 by the European Parliament, the Council of...
.
Later in the week, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding
Viviane Reding
Viviane Reding is a Luxembourgian politician, currently serving as European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Before starting a professional career as a journalist for the leading newspaper in Luxembourg, the Luxemburger Wort, she obtained a doctorate in human sciences...
called the deportations "a disgrace", stating in a briefing on 14 September 2010 that "This is a situation I had thought Europe would not have to witness again after the Second World War", and suggesting the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
may take legal action against France over the matter.
Her strong response was in part due to a French denial of a leaked file dated 5 August, sent from the Interior Ministry
Minister of the Interior (France)
The Minister of the Interior in France is one of the most important governmental cabinet positions, responsible for the following:* The general interior security of the country, with respect to criminal acts or natural catastrophes...
to regional police chiefs, which included the instruction: "Three hundred camps or illegal settlements must be cleared within three months, Roma camps are a priority,"
The dispute between the French government and the EU Commission was widely thought to have overshadowed the EU summit opening on 16 September. Nicolas Sarkozy criticised Reding's remarks, saying "The disgusting and shameful words that were used - World War II, the evocation of the Jews - was something that shocked us deeply" . He also affirmed that his government would continue with its policy. According to Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borisov
Boyko Borisov
Boyko Metodiev Borisov is a Bulgarian politician who has been Prime Minister of Bulgaria since July 2009. Previously he was Mayor of Sofia from 8 November 2005 until his election as Prime Minister....
"There was a big argument — I could also say a scandal — between the president of the European Commission and the French president". In response to Mr Sarkozy's suggestion that Viviane Reding's country of origin, Luxembourg, could accommodate the expelled Roma, its Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn
Jean Asselborn
Jean Asselborn is a Luxembourger politician. Since 31 July 2004, he has been the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration in the government led by Jean-Claude Juncker....
said he found the statement "malevolent".
The German chancellor Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel
Angela Dorothea Merkel is the current Chancellor of Germany . Merkel, elected to the Bundestag from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has been the chairwoman of the Christian Democratic Union since 2000, and chairwoman of the CDU-CSU parliamentary coalition from 2002 to 2005.From 2005 to 2009 she led a...
was also quoted as saying "I found the tone and especially the historical comparisons unsuitable. And I hope we can find a better way." At the meeting, Barroso distanced himself from Reding's comments, but affirmed that "The prohibition of discrimination based on racial and ethnic origin is one of the EU's fundamental principles." Finland's foreign minister Alexander Stubb
Alexander Stubb
Cai-Göran Alexander Stubb is a Finnish politician and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 4 April 2008 to 22 June 2011...
commented that the summit, which has an objective of presenting a unified foreign and economic policy, risks making the EU look hypocritical: "When we promote free trade, climate change and human rights around the world we need to have our own backyard in order." Also at the summit, the French President stated that Germany too intended to initiate a programme of deporting Roma, a claim flatly denied by Germany.
Mrs Reding subsequently privately recanted the historical comparison in her initial statement. Her office apologized for the analogy. The European Commission subsequently declined to follow up on the earlier threat to sue France at the European Court of Justice, or to take other legal action on the Roma matter against France.
Romani NGO's in Turkey as well protested French government and European Union's weak response to French government's decision on the basis of human rights. Efkan Ozcimen, head of Roman NGO in Turkey was quoted saying "Unfortunately France is expelling Roman people while same France and EU advises other countries about human rights. As Romanies living in Turkey, we have all the equal rights and France should take the example of Turkey for human rights."
In November 10, 2011 the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
condemned the expulsion as "discriminatory" and "contrary to human dignity" , publishing the decision by the European Committee of Social Rights on the complaint Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) v. France.
Purported database
A report in Le MondeLe Monde
Le Monde is a French daily evening newspaper owned by La Vie-Le Monde Group and edited in Paris. It is one of two French newspapers of record, and has generally been well respected since its first edition under founder Hubert Beuve-Méry on 19 December 1944...
on October 7, 2010 reported that the French Office Central de Lutte contre la Délinquance Itinérante
Office Central de Lutte contre la Délinquance Itinérante
The Office Central de Lutte contre la Délinquance Itinérante is a service of the French National Gendarmerie, whose area of expertise is the fight against crime committed by itinerant criminals. It was established in 2004.- External links :*...
(OCLDI) hold a database of French Romani known as the MENS database. The French authorities denied these claims. A formal complaint regarding this was made by lawyers representing four Romani rights groups.
Subsequent investigations were conducted both by the Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (Cnil)
CNIL
The Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés or CNIL is an independent French administrative authority whose mission is to ensure that data privacy law is applied to the collection, storage, and use of personal data. Its existence was established by French , concerning computers,...
, an independent body that oversees data privacy, and by the internal auditing unit in charge of overseeing data files. Both inquiries concluded that no MENS database existed or had ever existed, and the CNIL reported finding no file with ethnic information in a broader investigation of the police and gendarmerie systems.
External links
- France Comes Under Mounting Pressure over Mass Deportation of Roma - video report by Democracy Now!Democracy Now!Democracy Now! and its staff have received several journalism awards, including the Gracie Award from American Women in Radio & Television; the George Polk Award for its 1998 radio documentary Drilling and Killing: Chevron and Nigeria's Oil Dictatorship, on the Chevron Corporation and the deaths of...
- The Romani People and the Free Movement Directive - Legal Analysis