Hindus ask European Commission to take France to Court over Roma “witch hunt”

NEVADA - Hindus want European Commission (EC) to censure France and take it to Court of Justice of the European Union regarding its apparent “witch-hunt” against Roma (Gypsy) community.

Noted Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, criticized EC for timid and delayed response on Roma expulsions and appearing to tone down the issue and added that EC, which was supposed be the guardian of European treaties, had failed to do its job on freedom of movement issues and protecting minority rights.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that EC had not been doing enough to protect Roma, Europe’s largest ethnic minority numbering around 15-million, and seemed like refusing to accept its responsibility and closing its eyes when France was deporting Roma in apparent violation of rules. EC President Josi Manuel Barroso did not even mention France by name on Roma issue in his recent State of the Union address to European Parliament.

Rajan Zed pointed out that Europe’s slide towards racism and xenophobia, as it appeared from Roma maltreatment in various European countries, was unacceptable and should be stopped. In addition to France; other European countries like Denmark, Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Italy had also reportedly deported Roma in the past.

Zed further said that European freedom of movement rights should be enforced for “all citizens” and not for just “one class of citizens”. Politicians should not be permitted to boost their sagging popularity in tougher times at the cost of helpless Roma. France should immediately suspend demolitions of Roma settlements and their expulsions.

Europe’s most persecuted and discriminated community, Roma were reportedly facing apartheid conditions in Europe. Roma reportedly regularly encountered social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, etc., Rajan Zed added. (ANI)