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Gypsies accuse Nicolas Sarkozy of racism after expulsion order
29 Jul 2010French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been accused of racism after ordering the expulsion of illegal gypsy immigrants and the demolition of their camps.
He wants a change in the immigration law to make expulsion easier "for reasons of public order". Earlier this month a gypsy youth was shot dead in the Loire valley after clashes with police. Mr Sarkozy said those responsible for the violence would be "severely punished". He said the illegal camps were bases of drug trafficking, exploitation of children and prostitution.
Interior minister Brice Hortefeux said the measures "are not meant to stigmatise any community, regardless of who they are, but to punish illegal behaviour."
Representatives of the Roma, almost all of whom are from eastern Europe, were not invited to yesterday's presidential meeting, when the expulsion was decided, and said they are the only ethnic group that French authorities can openly target.
"We're preparing to open a blighted page in the history of France, which could sadly lead to acts of reprisal in the days ahead," said lawyer Henri Braun at a press conference by Roma leaders. "There is a huge problem of racism in France towards this population - there is enormous discrimination."
During the Nazi occupation, gypsies were sent to concentration camps. Former president Jacques Chirac, the first leader to acknowledge France's role in the Holocaust, condemned "the Nazi madness that wanted to eliminate the gypsies".
Reader views (6)
Bring them to the UK , more than welcome in Britain, the worlds recycle bin
- Peter Woods, Salento, 30/07/2010 16:22
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fiver says he sends them here, and we take them in
- shed, marlboro wilts, 30/07/2010 13:19
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Illegal immigrants are illegal immigrants and should be removed regardless.
It is ironic Sarkozy wants tougher Laws, although I agree we need them, but it was the EU 'uman Rights Law that has screwed the European countries.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 30/07/2010 09:09
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Only goes to show that this guy isn't a complete waste of breathable air.....
- Rogan, Irving, 30/07/2010 07:25
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I agree. The gypsies are always portrayed as romantic victims but the reality is different, not least thier utterly misogynistic culture
- Lizzie, London Uk, 29/07/2010 20:19
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If the Evening Standard had any knowledge of how gypsies behave in France, perhaps they would not be so
sympathetic towards them. In my experience, they do things that ordinary people would regard as being against the law, but not, obviously, gypsy law.
- jonathan montmorency, cooden, uk, 29/07/2010 14:33
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