Ψήφισμα από την κινητοποίηση που οργάνωσε η ΚΙΣΑ στην Γαλλική Πρεσβεία 6/9/210To: Mr Nicolas Sarkozy
President of the French Republic
Mr President
ENAR-Cyprus Structure and KISA, in cooperation with migrant communities and other
human rights NGOs, are protesting today in front of the French embassy in Nicosia,
Cyprus, to express their concern over the measures put in place by France against French
Travelers, migrant Roma and migrants in general. This protest is part of the European-wide
mobilisation organised by ENAR (European Network Against Racism) and other European
networks against your government’s xenophobic and discriminatory policies.
The organisers of the protest are gravely concerned that the proposals for the extension of
the possibilities of removing the French nationality from French citizens of foreign origin
who commit certain crimes are contrary to the Republic’s fundamental principle of equality
between all citizens. Proposals made by members of your government to extend this
possibility to cases of polygamy or excision are of particular concern, as such measures
may have the effect of linking whole parts of the population with these marginal practices,
and thereby instigating further prejudice, discrimination and racism.
We are also gravely concerned about the associations made in the political discourse
engaged by members of your government between Roma and criminal behaviour. Making
blanket characterizations and linking Roma communities to illegal settlements, illicit
trafficking and exploitation of children for begging, prostitution or crime risks reinforcing
prejudices and discriminatory perceptions about this ethnic group that is already the most
discriminated against in the EU.
The organisers are very worried that the Roma and migrants in general have become the
target of organised racist violence in several European countries, and calls on France and
the other Member States of the EU to refrain from making statements which inflame public
opinion against them.
We are also alarmed at France’s systematic dismantling of “illegal” settlements, while its
own law requiring that towns whose populations exceed 5,000 provide suitable camping
grounds for Traveller communities is not fully implemented. Moreover, we urge you to
ensure France’s obligations to comply with international law during any treatment of Roma
or Travelers are respected. Any relocations, even from unlawful settlements, should only
take place following consultations and the consent of the affected residents.
Furthermore, we urge France and the other EU Member States to guarantee that each EU
citizen is sufficiently protected from potential abuse of power by the State regarding their
expulsion policies.
In view of your repeated calls to the EU institutions to act for Roma integration, we hope
France and other European Governments will now focus on combating the long-standing
legal and societal discrimination that Roma and Travellers face, instead of embarking on a
populist and security driven agenda. ENAR calls on the EU and its Member States to
ensure the integration of Roma in Europe in a strategic, coordinated and inclusive manner.
We call for a comprehensive EU Roma strategy which should ensure that Roma
communities are protected from discrimination, have equal access to education,
employment, healthcare and housing, and are empowered through participation in the civic
and economic life of their country.
We call on France and the other EU Member States to proceed more systematically to the
integration of Roma and migrants in general, so as to ensure their protection from
discrimination and racism and that they enjoy their human rights in full, as these are
enshrined in the basic principles of the European Union and the republican principles of
France.
Signed by:KISA – Action for Equality, Support, Antiracism – ENAR-Cyprus Coordination – Nepalese
Equality Partner Association for Liberty (NEPAL) – Anatropi Magazine – ANTIGONEInformation
& Documentation Centre on racism, ecology, peace and non violence – Cyprus
Community Media Centre – Cyprus Greens (Youth) – Cyprus Greek Teachers’ Organisation
(POED) – Cyprus Labour Institute (INEK-PEO) – Enosi Anarchigon – HFC “Hope For
Children” UNCRC Policy Center – Kenyan Welfare Association in Cyprus – Mediterranean
Institute for Gender Studies (MIGS) – New Cyprus Party (YKP) – Overseas Filippino
Workers Family Club-Cyprus chapter – Palestinian Community House – Palestinian
Community in Cyprus – Stop the War Coalition – Symfiliosi – The Management Centre –
Tinig Pinoy- Filipino Voice (Politis) – United Democratic Youth Organization (EDON) –
Workers Democracy – Youth Against Nationalism
Nicosia, 6 September 2010
*
Falies