The Roma's situation in Europe

Daniela Weingärtner appeals to the EU to promote the integration of Roma in their home countries: "With a population of ten million, the Roma represent the largest ethnic minority in the EU since its recent expansion. Had the old EU member states wanted to get a better idea of the responsibilities they were taking on, they need have looked no further than the European Commission's progress reports. Year after year these reports criticise the discrimination of Roma in Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and the Czech Republic, yet the Community decided to take on the candidates despite these shortcomings. The last report before Romania's accession contains details of police raids targeted against Roma, expulsions and the destruction of their homes. Italy must now contend with similar reproaches. Instead of setting a good example the old member states are adopting the bad habits of the new ones."

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