EU Nations and the movement of the Roma
Author: Timo Saari
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There are a large number of ethnic minorities in the EU that are legally allowed to stay within one country but are not allowed to move between countries, contradicting the whole definition of the Schengen agreement and the aspirations the EU has in easing the movement of its citizens. This paper will focus on the minority called the Roma or Romani who have spread out around Europe through the course of history and have increasingly done so with the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria into the EU.
The basic fundamentals of the agreements and treaties enforced in the EU are simple; let its citizens enjoy the possibility of movement without border checks as well as equality and well being for all Europeans. Though these ideas are largely accepted, the question regarding the effectiveness and enforcement of the ideas on completely unbiased and equal ways to all EU citizens is a matter that requires further discussion. The issue of the agitators for the xenophobic attitudes around the EU in regard to the Roma must also be explored, as one cannot say whether or not it is the EU itself that is responsible or if it is something that happens as a result of right wing attitudes arising in specific member countries. Though the movement of the Roma cannot be described as conventional tourism, one must realise that they are in their own way contributing to the tourism industry through the fact that they do travel from one country to another and thus can, at least to an extent, be described as tourists.
It is estimated by the BBC (2011) that there are 10 to 12 million Roma in Europe. They have spread around Europe during the course of history and with countries such as Bulgaria and Romania being added into the EU, the exodus of the Romani people from these countries to the more wealthier societies in Europe has increased significantly (BBC, 2007; Vapaaliikkuvuus.net, 2008). EurActiv.com (2005) notes that in France there are from 500000 to 1,2 million Roma alone, which serves as a good example on the question of free mobility in EU. In 2010, the French government started the deportation of the Romani back to Bulgaria and Romania opposing the course of conduct adopted by the EU. Though Citizens Information (2010) states that complete freedom of movement will only be in effect from 2014 and that prior to this member states in the EU can propose travel restrictions where they have been approved by the European Commission. But if the talk is of the freedom of mobility to all citizens of all EU countries, how can people who hold an EU passport be legally deported? The actions of the French government can be argued to be highly prejudice and hypocritical in that they allow their citizens to move around, welcome tourists more than any other country in the world, but still have the ability to target an ethnic group and forcefully relocate them to another country (BBC, 2007; UNWTO, 2010). These actions and this type of xenophobic activity must be condemned by the EU as it is a clear contradiction of the freedom of movement plan as well as in breach of the Schengen contract.
In the Nordic countries of Finland, Sweden and Norway it can be said that the situation with the Romani gypsies is something similar to that in France, at least on a fundamental level. After the aforementioned inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU, Nordic cities have quite rapidly begun to see an increase in the Romanis begging on the streets. The change, like said, has also affected Norway through their involvement in the Schengen agreement even though they are not an EU country.
In Finland, a country which is widely considered one of the most developed in Europe, the sudden appearance of beggars (the overwhelming majority of whom are Romani) onto the streets caused wide discussion in the media and parliament. Though Finland is home to Finnish Romani or 'Kale' who have been living in the country for centuries and are an integrated part of society, Finns did not know how to deal with the new phenomenon of street begging. The case is somewhat similar in Sweden where like in Finland the problem is being discussed to great extent. Deportations are in effect in both countries thus breaching the agreements of the European Commission (YLE, 2009; Earth Times, 2010). Left wing media and politicians all over have argued that the deportations are racist and increase xenophobia (Swissinfo.ch, 2011). It is interesting to think that the EU seems to be content with the situation, even though the actions of Finland and Sweden are undermining Brussels' authority. The deportation and increased border control in regard to the Romani are also in effect in Switzerland and Norway, though the EU, would they want to intervene, would have relatively little to say in the case of these two countries. The Finnish daily newspaper Iltalehti (2010) states that deportations with Romani that seek asylum are specially dealt with within the day and in the last ten years not one Romani that has sought asylum has had it granted.
The basic fundamentals of the agreements and treaties enforced in the EU are simple; let its citizens enjoy the possibility of movement without border checks as well as equality and well being for all Europeans. Though these ideas are largely accepted, the question regarding the effectiveness and enforcement of the ideas on completely unbiased and equal ways to all EU citizens is a matter that requires further discussion. The issue of the agitators for the xenophobic attitudes around the EU in regard to the Roma must also be explored, as one cannot say whether or not it is the EU itself that is responsible or if it is something that happens as a result of right wing attitudes arising in specific member countries. Though the movement of the Roma cannot be described as conventional tourism, one must realise that they are in their own way contributing to the tourism industry through the fact that they do travel from one country to another and thus can, at least to an extent, be described as tourists.
It is estimated by the BBC (2011) that there are 10 to 12 million Roma in Europe. They have spread around Europe during the course of history and with countries such as Bulgaria and Romania being added into the EU, the exodus of the Romani people from these countries to the more wealthier societies in Europe has increased significantly (BBC, 2007; Vapaaliikkuvuus.net, 2008). EurActiv.com (2005) notes that in France there are from 500000 to 1,2 million Roma alone, which serves as a good example on the question of free mobility in EU. In 2010, the French government started the deportation of the Romani back to Bulgaria and Romania opposing the course of conduct adopted by the EU. Though Citizens Information (2010) states that complete freedom of movement will only be in effect from 2014 and that prior to this member states in the EU can propose travel restrictions where they have been approved by the European Commission. But if the talk is of the freedom of mobility to all citizens of all EU countries, how can people who hold an EU passport be legally deported? The actions of the French government can be argued to be highly prejudice and hypocritical in that they allow their citizens to move around, welcome tourists more than any other country in the world, but still have the ability to target an ethnic group and forcefully relocate them to another country (BBC, 2007; UNWTO, 2010). These actions and this type of xenophobic activity must be condemned by the EU as it is a clear contradiction of the freedom of movement plan as well as in breach of the Schengen contract.
In the Nordic countries of Finland, Sweden and Norway it can be said that the situation with the Romani gypsies is something similar to that in France, at least on a fundamental level. After the aforementioned inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU, Nordic cities have quite rapidly begun to see an increase in the Romanis begging on the streets. The change, like said, has also affected Norway through their involvement in the Schengen agreement even though they are not an EU country.
In Finland, a country which is widely considered one of the most developed in Europe, the sudden appearance of beggars (the overwhelming majority of whom are Romani) onto the streets caused wide discussion in the media and parliament. Though Finland is home to Finnish Romani or 'Kale' who have been living in the country for centuries and are an integrated part of society, Finns did not know how to deal with the new phenomenon of street begging. The case is somewhat similar in Sweden where like in Finland the problem is being discussed to great extent. Deportations are in effect in both countries thus breaching the agreements of the European Commission (YLE, 2009; Earth Times, 2010). Left wing media and politicians all over have argued that the deportations are racist and increase xenophobia (Swissinfo.ch, 2011). It is interesting to think that the EU seems to be content with the situation, even though the actions of Finland and Sweden are undermining Brussels' authority. The deportation and increased border control in regard to the Romani are also in effect in Switzerland and Norway, though the EU, would they want to intervene, would have relatively little to say in the case of these two countries. The Finnish daily newspaper Iltalehti (2010) states that deportations with Romani that seek asylum are specially dealt with within the day and in the last ten years not one Romani that has sought asylum has had it granted.