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

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.