AD slams Prime Minister’s ‘lack of dignity’ on French expulsion of Roma people

Alternattiva Demokratika has deplored the government’s ‘wait and see’ attitude at the recent European Council meeting discussing France's expulsion of the Roma people.

17 September 2010, 12:00am
by Matthew Vella

2 min read

Prof. Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on EU Affairs, stated: “The attitude of the Maltese government of waiting and seeing what the majority decides in order then to side with the majority, in the end, is a very servile attitude and shows a lack of dignity and self respect on the part of the Maltese government. The Maltese government should not be silenced by the shouting of big countries, in this case France, but should instead speak out clearly in favour of what is right, according to the rule of law and EU treaties.”

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi took a cautious stand on the expulsion of the Roma from France, which the European Commission is now investigating.

France has deported hundreds of Romanian and Bulgarian Roma back to their countries of origin over the years, but recently has increased the pace of expulsions.

But Gonzi stopped short of affirming a clear stand of disapproval on the Maltese government’s part of the expulsion of Roma people, who are also EU citizens.

“The point is this: the rule of law must apply to everybody… but we must recognise that directives exist, directives that gives rights to EU citizens, and that the European Commission is duty-bound to see that these directives are abided to, and if not, it has the right to take steps,” Gonzi said after a European Council meeting in Brussels yesterday.

AD said that during the last plenary session, on 9 September 2010, the European Parliament adopted a strong resolution underlining its concerns about the Roma deportations in France and the need for a response from the European Commission.

On 14 September 2010, Commissioner Viviane Reding criticised the situation in France and stated that the Commission will have no choice but to initiate legal action against France.

“Alternattiva Demokratika fully supports Commissioner Reding’s statement that no Member State can expect special treatment, in particular where fundamental values and European laws are violated,” Cassola said.

Michael Briguglio, Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson, added: “We are concerned about the pressure that the French government is putting on member states to undermine the role of the Commission, in order to avoid the consequences of its actions regarding Roma. “We urge Prime Minsiter Gonzi to insist with the EU Council President Van Rompey to ensure the independence of the Commission and not let one government endanger the authority of the Union’ institutions, and disregard the fundamental rights set out in the Treaties, which all member states and governments are bound to respect.”

AD said that acting unilaterally and outside agreed laws and treaties was “a very dangerous precedent” and called for solutions to be sought around the EU table.

Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...

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Jessica Chetcuti •

Michael001 While I appreciate your concern about principals being either right or wrong, I would rather let plain simple common sense prevail as in this case, although I have to say that I’m not quite sure as to what text you are referring to in my post. Are you complaining about the expulsion of the Roma?.... If you are then think about how they might feel because their own government hasn’t uttered a word of complaint. Are you complaining that the PM is sitting on the fence waiting to see how the wind blows, and doing very little else?...... I hope that he will eventually back the French and Italians. Are you complaining that Italy’s proposals to deport people who can’t fend for themselves and are a burden to the state?...... Are you saying that they shouldn’t be deported? Imagine the scenario. Malta is inundated with Roma gypsies; they set up a shanty town camp in Busket, should we just ignore them, and let them turn the place into a slum? Well instead of Busket, think of Paris Milan Naples, because it has already happened there. I’m all for freedom of movement, but when it happens en-masse, there will inevitably be problems.

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Rough translation of Fenixera post In the world there was anything and anyone, besides it - its hands wound me, his affectionate respiration on my face, his lip in the inch from my - there was nothing, which could distract me now, I be the newly born vampire or by someone by others - we will say [Elis] that I selected clothing correctly, I whispered, after neglecting its fingers into his hair and after attracting its face nearer to him

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The only way I expect Dr Gonzi to decide is to support Sarkozy and also Italy in their stance against the Gypsies/Roma. What if they decide to come to Malta and similarly do what Dr Gonzi himself called the "invasion" of African illegal immigrants and yet he has done absolutely nothing about it with thousands of illegal immigrants about whom we know absolutely nothing roaming our streets, working on the black economy, undercutting Maltese workers and taking their work from them in our own country and being a burden on us through our taxes? Are we going to allow our country to be taken over by anyone who decided to come here? You do not have a pair of strong hands as you say you have where foreigners are concerned Dr Gonzi, but only jelly hands. Your pair of strong hands are only available for use against Maltese citizens.

Albert Zammit •

That's what it all boils down to, and it seems to me that JAMRIE and SANDRO PACE have no idea what PRINCIPLES are all about. It is either right or wrong.

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Hon. Dr.prime minister you hug president sarkozy ? But he left his wife to be with another woman, to you he dont have a treasure like you said we have here in malta :P hehheheh Hon. prime minister give to Malta the rights that all EU countries have- thanks

Jessica Chetcuti •

Why is it that we don’t hear much from the government of Romania accepting the deportees? I would have thought that they would be furious to the way their citizens are being treated. Could it be that they don’t want to make a fuss in case their Schengen application gets rejected? As for the PM sitting on the fence, quite frankly I think that’s the best place to be, and see how this all pans out. Neighbouring Italy, meanwhile, is backing Sarkozy's campaign to the hilt. I also heard that Italy intends to propose that all Europeans living in an EU country other than their country of origin should be deported to their country of origin if they prove unable to provide for themselves and their families and simply live off the host state's welfare system…….That makes sense to me, but will the government back Italy’s proposal?....... I would certainly hope so.

Ina Cini •

environmentalist. Would they have supported illegal camps in malta. ?

Michael Gauci •

Prof. Arnold Cassola should live next to some of the Roma for a while, he'd soon change his tune.France are acting within EU Law.

Anton Portelli •

they are so right:) a nation who cannot decide