Speaking during last night's European Parliament debate on Roma integration strategies, GUE/NGL MEP Connie Ernst cited numerous examples of Roma discrimination across Europe and called on member states to take decisive action to combat discrimination.

She said: “In the Czech Republic citizens were demonstrating against Roma with Hitler salutes, in France the Interior minister said that the Roma should be expelled. In Hungary their water was cut off, this was also the case in Turin. In the Netherlands Roma were housed in containers to get them out of Amsterdam. These are just some examples from research that was carried out on Roma discrimination over three months in 2011.”

She added: “It's 'five to twelve' on this issue: we need to stop talking and start taking action. We could have infringement procedures against these member states. We must take decisive action against racism.”

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group