Reports of Roma forced evictions in Bordeaux

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE

Reports of Roma forced evictions in Bordeaux

(Brussels, 27 February 2013) News reports today indicate that hundreds of Bulgarian citizens of Romani ethnicity may have been evicted from two squats in the French city of Bordeaux. It appears that some of them may have been repatriated, and others given temporary accommodation.

Although Amnesty International has not yet been able to verify the media reports, it has expressed concern about whether such evictions constitute forced evictions, which are prohibited under international human rights law.

It is unclear whether the evicted communities were duly informed ahead of the evictions, genuinely consulted about alternative housing options and given appropriate legal avenues to challenge any eviction orders.

In its report of November 2012, Chased Away: Forced evictions of Roma in Île-de-France, Amnesty International documented several forced evictions of Romani communities in France.

The European Committee on Social Rights, tasked with monitoring implementation of the European Social Charter, has found several instances where France discriminated against Roma people in their enjoyment of several human rights including the rights to adequate housing, education and health.

Amnesty International and other organisations have documented discrimination against Roma people in housing, education and access to services in several European countries including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. National authorities have failed to protect Romani individuals and communities from discrimination. The European Union has also so far failed to ensure that its anti-discrimination laws, especially the Race Equality Directive, are implemented effectively in its member states.

For more information please contact:

Peter Clarke
Media & Communications Officer
European Institutions Office
Amnesty International
Tel: +32 (0) 2 548 2773
[email protected]