Reding condemns France over Roma

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has urged the European Commission to take legal action against France over its deportations of Roma (Gypsies). Ms Reding called French actions a 'disgrace'. She deplored the fact that a leaked official memo contradicted assurances given to her by France.

France voiced 'astonishment' in response to her statement on 14 September 2010.

Ms Reding's rebuke amounted to very strong language from a European Commissioner about a Member State - especially a major power such as France. EU disciplinary action against France could lead to substantial fines.

Spiegel Online International, 16.9.10: Sarkozy's War Against the Roma http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,717324,00.html

Libération, 16.9.10: Roma - Just how far will France go? (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/340661-just-how-far-will-france-go

La Voix du Luxembourg, 16.9.10: Paris, open to ridicule http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/340561-paris-open-ridicule

Human Rights Watch, 14.9.10: EU: A Key Intervention in Roma Expulsions http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/09/14/eu-key-intervention-roma-expulsions

EUObserver, 15.9.10: Turkey: Reding's Roma statement could help EU foreign policy http://euobserver.com/9/30808

EUObserver, 15.9.10: Paris tells Brussels: 'You do not speak to us like this' http://euobserver.com/9/30806

France24, 15.9.10: France hits back at EU criticism of Roma expulsions http://www.france24.com/en/20100915-paris-fires-back-eu-rebuke-over-roma-deportations-viviane-reding

PressEurop, 15.9.10: Brussels finally takes France to task http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/339691-brussels-finally-takes-france-task

Spiked, 15.9.10: Sarkozy's tough and toothless war (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/338871-sarkozys-tough-and-toothless-war

Spiegel Online International, 15.9.10: 'France Has Acted Systematically against an Entire People' http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,717643,00.html

BBC News, 16.9.10: France faces showdown on Roma at European Union summit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11323053

EUObserver, 16.9.10: Roma dispute threatens to engulf EU summit http://euobserver.com/9/30818

France24, 14.9.10: EU justice chief calls for legal action over Roma 'disgrace' http://www.france24.com/en/20100914-eu-justice-chief-reding-calls-france-face-action-over-roma-expulsions-disgrace

Spiegel Online International, 14.9.10: EU Rebukes France Over Roma Expulsions http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,717496,00.html

Deutsche Welle, 14.9.10: EU Commission lambasts France over Roma expulsions http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6003712,00.html

EurActiv, 14.9.10: EU's Reding loses patience with France on Roma http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/eu-s-reding-loses-patience-france-roma-news-497770

EUObserver, 14.9.10: EU set to take France to court over Roma policy http://euobserver.com/9/30799

ESO: Background information: Roma crackdown leaves Paris in disarray http://www.europeansources.info/record/roma-crackdown-leaves-paris-in-disarray/

BBC News, 14.9.10: EU may take legal action against France over Roma http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11301307

European Commission: SPEECH/10/428: Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Statement on the latest developments on the Roma situation Brussels, 14 September 2010 Midday briefing in Press Room http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/10/428&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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