EU nations forcibly returning Roma to Kosovo: Amnesty

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100928/wl_afp/eurightsromakosovo;_ylt=Asm6fLhftJjIv7vstU7zSfB0bBAF;_ylu=X3oDMTJwazRncDd1BGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDEwMDkyOC9ldXJpZ2h0c3JvbWFrb3Nvdm8EcG9zAzEEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDZXVuYXRpb25zZm9y

LONDON (AFP) – European Union countries are forcibly returning Roma and other minorities to Kosovo, where they face possible discrimination and violence, a report from Amnesty International said Tuesday.

Members of the minorities -- including children -- are often returned to Kosovo, a Balkan territory that declared independence from Serbia in 2008, with nothing but the clothes they are wearing, said Amnesty.

The accusations come amid international outrage at France's Roma clampdown, which has seen hundreds of the minority sent back to Romania and Bulgaria since the beginning of August despite EU legislation on the free movement of people.

Romania and Bulgaria are EU members, while Kosovo is not.

"EU countries risk violating international law by sending back people to places where they are at risk of persecution, or other serious harm," said Sian Jones, Amnesty's Kosovo expert.

"The EU should instead continue to provide international protection for Roma and other minorities in Kosovo until they can return there safely.

"The Kosovo authorities must also ensure that Roma and other minorities can return voluntarily and reintegrate fully in society."

Few receive help on their return to Kosovo, meaning many face problems in obtaining access to education, healthcare, housing and social benefits, said the London-based rights group.

Discrimination against Roma in Kosovo is "widespread and systematic compounded by their perceived association with Kosovo Serbs", said Amnesty.

Kosovan authorities had taken some steps to improve conditions for returning Roma but they were ill-equipped to deal with the influx, said Jones.

"Until the Kosovo authorities are capable of ensuring the fundamental human rights of Roma and other minority communities, including Serbs and minority Albanians, they will return to face a climate of violence and discrimination," said Jones.

"Until then, the international community is obliged to provide them with protection."

Roma have fled Kosovo in large numbers on several occasions in recent years as fighting erupted in the territory.

Despite Serbia's fierce opposition, Kosovo is recognised by 70 countries and the majority of EU members.

Earlier this month, Belgrade agreed to hold EU-facilitated talks with Pristina to try to pave the way for both to join the European Union.

[luckytxn 2,265]

If they don't want the immigrants then ask some other country to accept them. Why should they be forced to accept anyone they don't want?

[Danno 1,228]

If they are anything like the ones I encountered in Europe, I would ship them out too.

Countries have the basic right to decide who is welcome.... the EU seems to infringe on that right.... it's another reason why the EU grows more and more fractured.

[The_Dude 1,142]

If they are anything like the ones I encountered in Europe, I would ship them out too.

Countries have the basic right to decide who is welcome.... the EU seems to infringe on that right.... it's another reason why the EU grows more and more fractured.

LoL, I can just imagine Danno in Europe "You'd all be speaking german if it weren't for my country"

Back on topic, the EU is looking into the actions of France when they deported 1500 Roma this month for violations of the EU charter. Countries have the right to decide who is welcome, so long as it is in line with EU guidelines. Their choice was to join the EU in the first place.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

If they are anything like the ones I encountered in Europe, I would ship them out too.

Countries have the basic right to decide who is welcome.... the EU seems to infringe on that right.... it's another reason why the EU grows more and more fractured.

The EU is nothing less than a bad joke. It's a commie run organization who wishes to gut individual country's of their rights. The EU reminds me of the UN. All commie bark and no bite. Ukraine and Georgia are just two examples of how the EU has totally failed.