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Saturday, August 21, 2010
France has defied mounting international criticism over its crackdown on the Roma and gypsy community, who are being returned to Eastern Europe on aircraft. Some 139 were flown out of Paris yesterday, in addition to 86 who were flown out on Thursday.
Technically, they are returning to Romania voluntarily. They have accepted a €300 offer to return to Romania, rather than wait for a month and be expelled without any handout.
Although the Roma gypsies from Romania and Bulgaria are citizens of the European Union and should normally be free to travel within the EU, France has a reserved right until 2014 to bar immigrants from the newer states from the job markets and to expel them after three months.
Opposition sources have accused the French government of "state racism".
It raises haunting memories of the way the Jewish people were stigmatised during the 1930s and 1940s, when the Roma people were also persecuted. For generations they have been outcasts in their own countries. Hence they have been fleeing to other countries.
In fairness, the French have a deserved reputation for tolerance towards immigrants. Their acceptance of Americans, especially black Americans, during the last century, for instance, inspired the song, "How ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paris?".
The present predicament of the Roma people emphasises the need for an informed debate at the EU level, rather than hysterical reaction.
Ways must be found to facilitate their integration within broader society in the interests of everyone.
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