(Thumbnail Image: The Sydney Morning Herald)


“They’ve settled in the heart of cities, leading a marginal existence. Most of the Roma are from Bulgaria or Romania. Today, there are about 15,000 of them in France. Though they are European citizens, they have less freedom to travel.” (France 24)


The French government continues its crackdown on illegal Roma and traveler minorities amidst criticism from the UN and human rights groups that the crackdown is racially-motivated.


We’re analyzing the controversial policy from – France24, BBC, Al Jazeera and The Morning Star.


President Sarkozy’s government announced plans to shut down 300 unauthorized Roma and traveler camps following a violent clash with travelers in July. The move was billed as part of a broad campaign against crime.


A statement issued by the president’s office described the camps as sources of illegal trafficking, child exploitation, prostitution and crime. The Mayor of Nice told BBC News the so-called gypsies are on the wrong side of the law.


“Would it not be terrifying if France bowed down before all the treats of those who say we’re coming to your home and we’re not going to respect to laws of your country. ... They know they are inviting the fullest application of the law.”


But the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is criticizing France’s treatment of the Roma. In a 90-page report the committee claims racism and xenophobia were undergoing a “significant resurgence in France”.  One human rights activist agrees, telling Al Jazeera the policy amounts to discrimination.


“The government is stigmatizing one group of the population, one nationality, even a minority among nationalities. They are targeting Romanians and Bulgarians because they are Roma. They aren’t evicting other squats and shanties. It’s a truly sickening ethnic policy.”


A writer for the Morning Star points out others are criticizing President Sarkozy for using the travelling and Roma people as scapegoats for political gain

"It's difficult to believe ... [they] have such an impact on the rise of the crime rate that this action against them could be justified. More likely they are being used as a means for diverting people's attention from their dissatisfaction with the economic crisis and the government's austerity measures."


Polls conducted by international marketing firm IFOP show 70-80 percent of French citizens support the evictions. So far 51 camps have been dismantled and 700 Roma have been expelled from France.