France has been slammed by a UN report on racism in France. The report, among other states that “The committee is concerned by the recrudescence of hate and xenophobic speech in certain political circles and the media which contribute to the trivialisation of racism and xenophobia”. It cites racism against Jews, Moslems, but also increasingly against Rroma with statements such as the “unbearable smell” of Rroma in public transportation, but also due to police brutality in clearing illegal camps and the breach of the rights to proper lodging when expelled from such camps.
This increase of racism towards minorities is worrisome and not worthy of a country like France. Unfortunately, in the case of Rroma, even people such as the Prime Minister are prone to racist statements – for example when he deemed that Rroma do not and cannot integrate. This has to stop.
- UN criticises France over ‘racist’ treatment of Roma. In: The Telegraph. 17.05.2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11608807/UN-slams-France-over-racist-treatment-of-Roma.html
- L’ONU préoccupée par la «stigmatisation croissante» des Roms en France. In: 20 Minutes (France). 15.05.2015. http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1608863-20150515-onu-preoccupee-stigmatisation-croissante-roms-france
- Lane, Oliver. United Nations tells France: ‘You have a racism problem’. In: Breitbart.com. 17.05.2015. http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/05/17/united-nations-tells-france-you-have-a-racism-problem/
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