EU urges Member States to step up efforts to improve the lives of Roma people

[News_Editor]

EU urges Member States to step up efforts to improve the lives of Roma people

2010-10-13 12:04:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union (EU) Social Affairs Commissioner Laszlo Andor on Tuesday called on Member States to step up its efforts to improve the lives of Roma people.

"Roma are one of the biggest ethnic minorities in the EU and are disproportionately affected by discrimination, violence, unemployment, poverty, bad housing and poor health standards. They face persistent social exclusion," Andor said.

The EU hosted an event in Bucharest on Tuesday to discuss the contribution of EU funds to the integration of Roma. The issue is part of the EU's priorities for jobs and growth, Europe 2020. The strategy calls for a truly inclusive society that integrates nondiscrimination and equality among its policies.

"It's clear that many of the areas that require action to improve the lives of Roma – like employment, education, housing and health - fall under the responsibility of the Member States. But the EU can, does and will continue to provide vital support," he said.

Commissioner Andor said that the EU must support the policies and national Roma strategies of Member States, facilitate cooperation among EU institutions at all levels and enforce the relevant legislation.

The European Union has committed around €83 million (115 million USD) in funds for 31 projects that target the Roma community but announced that there is room in the budget for more programs and projects. Andor will visit three programs during his visit in Bucharest.

"We would like to see more, quality Roma programs, and not just in Romania but in other Member States too. Especially in those countries with a high Roma population. All Member States need to anticipate the consequences of migration," he added.

Roma is the biggest minority in Europe with between 10 to 12 million people. The term "Roma" is used as an umbrella term for the Roma, Sintis, traveler and gypsy communities.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-13

[Englander]

These feral people dont help themselves, i used to live hundreds of metres from a gypsy camp and theyd beat beat up just for walking past their site, most the gypsys who were living there that are my age are serving long prison sentences for some of the most vile crimes imaginable, if anyone want to PM i can send links on the BBC website of a most horrendous crime one recently committed, i cant see why the EUSSR should tax decent working people to fund this vile group.

This recent case highlights what they Romanian gypsy's are like.

A pregnant 12-year-old girl was among 28 Romanian children rescued yesterday as police smashed a suspected child-trafficking ring.

The youngsters, who were allegedly forced to beg and steal for Fagin-style criminal masters, were among 103 children found at 16 addresses in East London.

Eight adults were arrested, including three for benefit fraud worth £50,000, while a three-year-old boy was taken to hospital with facial injuries and bruising.

The arrests were linked to a court case in Romania last month, when 24 people went on trial accused of bringing almost 200 Roma children to Britain to steal and beg.

The Met received intelligence suggesting the suspects in the court case were part of a child-trafficking network which extended to Ilford, East London

At dawn yesterday, officers raided a series of rented properties in Ilford and immediately took 28 'at-risk' children, aged three to 17, into police protection.

Health and social services officials were interviewing a further 75 youngsters to establish whether they, too, should be taken into care.

Sources said some of the child pickpockets earned up to £300 a day, but rarely received even a small fraction of the proceeds.

Most shocking of all was the discovery at one address of a 12-year-old Romanian girl in the early stages of pregnancy.

It appeared she was not living with her parents and urgent inquiries were under way to establish whether they are in the UK, and whether the girl had ever attended school.

Superintendent Bernie Gravett, who led yesterday's operation, told the Mail: 'It gives us great concern to find a child in this condition at such a tender age.

'This operation has not been about arresting people. It's about tracing potential victims of trafficking.'

Six of the 28 children were found at one address alone, and one of the six – a three-year-old boy – was taken immediately to hospital to investigate bruising and facial injuries

Three of the arrested adults are accused of assaulting a young child and child neglect.

The alleged benefits cheats are accused of swindling £50,000 worth of child tax credits and housing benefits.

Last night, residents said they were not surprised to hear about the raids. Neighbours reported dishevelled-looking children as young as four roaming the streets late at night.

Michelle Thomas, 42, lives near Baden Road and Mayville Road, where three of the raids took place.

She said: 'There were always dozens of them and they looked really rough and had cuts on their faces and shabby clothes.

'The children – some of them were tiny, maybe only four – would walk to the takeaways by themselves. They would say "give me some food" to the owners.'

Told about the arrests, she said: 'That explains it all then.'

She said a woman in Mayville Road, whose address was among those raided, had ten children living in the house.

'She was controlling about ten kids. I used to think, "how can an 18-year-old have all those children?".'

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