UN anti-racism committee calls on British authorities to suspend Dale Farm evictions

[News_Editor]

UN anti-racism committee calls on British authorities to suspend Dale Farm evictions

2011-09-02 16:28:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

CRAYS HILL, ESSEX (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Friday called on British authorities to suspend the proposed eviction of hundreds of Gypsy and Traveler families at a site in southeastern England.

Plans are being made to evict 86 families from Dale Farm near Basildon in Essex, making it the largest illegal traveler site in the United Kingdom. But the travelers, who own the land but do not have permission to leave their caravans and chalets there, are refusing to leave and have received support from protesters.

The UN anti-racism committee called on the British government to suspend the planned eviction, saying it would 'disproportionately' affect the lives of the Gypsy and Traveler families, in particular women, children, and elderly people.

"We urge the authorities to find a peaceful and appropriate solution, including identifying culturally appropriate accommodation, with full respect for the rights of the families involved," the Committee members said in a joint statement.

The Committee previously sent a letter to the British government in March 2010 under its Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedure, expressing its concern and seeking clarification of the issue. The United Nations believes evicting the families would breach the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and would be 'inconsistent' with the Committee's General Recommendation No. 27 (2000) on Discrimination against Roma.

"Travelers and Gypsies already face considerable discrimination and hostility in wider society and the Committee is deeply concerned that this could be worsened by actions taken by authorities in the current situation and by some media reporting of the issues," the Committee added in its statement.

Meanwhile, the families and their supporters have been working to 'fortify' the camp as they await letters which will inform them when the evictions are to take place. Police fear a standoff which could last weeks and cost the government more than 18 million pounds ($29 million).

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-09-02

[Steely Dan]

They should give the gypsy's some land that's permanently theirs to use just as the native Americans were given reservations; I propose Liverpool would be a good choice.

[Ulysses G.]

They deserve London for their reservation. All power to the people man!

[Steely Dan]

They deserve London for their reservation. All power to the people man!

They'd have to fight for it if they wanted Londonistan.

[transam]

Why not where they come from, IRELAND.

[ArtfulD]

They deserve London for their reservation. All power to the people man!

They'd have to fight for it if they wanted Londonistan.

Yep, look at the problems Israel faces, muslims wont take kindly to losing another part of their homeland.

[transam]

They deserve London for their reservation. All power to the people man!

They'd have to fight for it if they wanted Londonistan.

Yep, look at the problems Israel faces, muslims wont take kindly to losing another part of their homeland.

BUT, a simple question, why are they not in Ireland, they are Irish. Dare l say the hand outs are easy in England ?