France Deporting Roma Population

France Deporting Roma Population
A camp of resettled Roma. Photo: Getty Images
France Deporting Roma Population
A camp of resettled Roma. Photo: Getty Images

France Deporting Roma Population

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French President Nicholas Sarkozy has been dismantling Roma settlements and offering payment to Roma who agree to leave the country voluntarily.

Many of those being expelled from France are actually French citizens. Sarkozy says he’s cracking down on crime rather than specifically targeting the Roma.

The policy has set off an European Union wide controversy. Some have called it illegal. Others, like E.U. Justice Minister Viviane Reding likened the recent deportation of almost 1000 Roma to Vichy France’s treatment of Jews during World War II.

Jerome talks to Rob Kushen, Executive Director of the European Roma Rights Center.