French President Nicholas Sarkozy has ordered the immediate expulsion of Bulgarian and Romanian Roma immigrants and the dismantling of 300 makeshift camps in France’s Loire Valley.
Sarkozy’s move comes after clashes between police and Roma rioters. The riots erupted after police shot to death a Roma youth as he fled from police.
The president’s office pledged to introduce new legislation before the end of 2010 to solve the Roma “problem,” which according to the French government threatens public order and safety.
Last week, Roma rioters tried to break down the door of a police station in the town of Saint-Aigan, damaging nearby buildings and burning cars.
French human rights groups including the French Human Rights League (HRL), and the National Federation of Associations for Solidarity Action with Roma and Travelling People, have condemned Sarkozy’s decision, calling it a stigmatization of minorities.
The main opposition force, the French Socialist Party, labeled the president’s move as “xenophobic.”
“Traveling folk” (“gens du voyage” in French) is an administrative term in France that encompasses various Roma ethnicities mainly coming from Romania, Bulgaria, and Central Europe. The generic term describes Roma people, Gypsies, and Sinti—all slightly different groups.
France is home to a total 400,000 “traveling folk,” 95 percent of whom hold French citizenship.
When Romania and Bulgaria entered the European Union in 2007, gaining their citizens the right to cross borders freely, France imposed measures to effectively exclude them from the labor market and social benefits, according to the HRL. Denied the ability of a regular income, many ended up in makeshift shelters or camps.
In 2007, Sarkozy had ordered Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux to expel 25,000 illegal foreigners, but he could not accomplish the task mainly due to the “changed situation” when Bulgaria and Romania became full members of the EU.
Last year, France removed almost 10,000 Roma people, the vast majority—85 percent, originally from Romania, reported local media.
The French government now aims to disband the Roma camps within three months.
Joint police operations will be held between France, Romania, and Bulgaria, to identify and deport criminal offenders. French tax inspectors will also visit the camps and check the paper work of residents.
Earlier this year, French Immigration Minister Eric Besson introduced a bill aiming to further restrict immigration laws. This was the sixth time similar attempts had been made since 2002. The proposed measures included extension of detention periods and postponement of legal document reviews by a judge. Employers who hire illegal immigrants may receive up to five-year prison sentences and fines of up to $20,000.
Sarkozy’s move comes after clashes between police and Roma rioters. The riots erupted after police shot to death a Roma youth as he fled from police.
The president’s office pledged to introduce new legislation before the end of 2010 to solve the Roma “problem,” which according to the French government threatens public order and safety.
Last week, Roma rioters tried to break down the door of a police station in the town of Saint-Aigan, damaging nearby buildings and burning cars.
French human rights groups including the French Human Rights League (HRL), and the National Federation of Associations for Solidarity Action with Roma and Travelling People, have condemned Sarkozy’s decision, calling it a stigmatization of minorities.
The main opposition force, the French Socialist Party, labeled the president’s move as “xenophobic.”
“Traveling folk” (“gens du voyage” in French) is an administrative term in France that encompasses various Roma ethnicities mainly coming from Romania, Bulgaria, and Central Europe. The generic term describes Roma people, Gypsies, and Sinti—all slightly different groups.
France is home to a total 400,000 “traveling folk,” 95 percent of whom hold French citizenship.
When Romania and Bulgaria entered the European Union in 2007, gaining their citizens the right to cross borders freely, France imposed measures to effectively exclude them from the labor market and social benefits, according to the HRL. Denied the ability of a regular income, many ended up in makeshift shelters or camps.
In 2007, Sarkozy had ordered Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux to expel 25,000 illegal foreigners, but he could not accomplish the task mainly due to the “changed situation” when Bulgaria and Romania became full members of the EU.
Last year, France removed almost 10,000 Roma people, the vast majority—85 percent, originally from Romania, reported local media.
The French government now aims to disband the Roma camps within three months.
Joint police operations will be held between France, Romania, and Bulgaria, to identify and deport criminal offenders. French tax inspectors will also visit the camps and check the paper work of residents.
Earlier this year, French Immigration Minister Eric Besson introduced a bill aiming to further restrict immigration laws. This was the sixth time similar attempts had been made since 2002. The proposed measures included extension of detention periods and postponement of legal document reviews by a judge. Employers who hire illegal immigrants may receive up to five-year prison sentences and fines of up to $20,000.
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