European Commissioner calls for analysis of French measures against Rroma people

European Justice commissioner Viviane Reding has called for an analysis of the situation in France, especially the measures taken on Rroma migrants, to see whether they are in line with the European legislation, according to a press release of the Commission on Thursday. Reding said letter on the issue which the French prime minister sent to the European Commission on Wednesday would be analyzed and the result would be discussed next week.

The European commissioner is quoted as saying she has watched the situation in France over the past several days as well as debates appearing in several other member states. She said she understood it was the responsibility of member states to provide public order and security for their citizens. But she said she expected all member states to comply with fundamental rights, including the rights of people belonging to minority groups.

It was clear that nobody should be expelled from a country for the simple fact of having Rroma descent, she said.

Reding said she was ready for an open and honest talk with all member states on how to deal with the issue of Rroma people, a common European responsibility.

And she said she regretted that the rhetoric of some member states was openly discriminatory and partially able to fuel the situation.