The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, will have no choice but to start a legal action against France for its expulsion of Roma, Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said Tuesday during a press conference.
“Enough is enough,” said Reding. “I am personally convinced that the commission will have no choice.”
“I intend to recommend to President Barroso the fast track infringement procedure, so we lose no time,” she said.
Reding called France’s expulsion of the Roma people a “disgrace.”
On Monday French media published a leaked French official memo suggesting the Roma had been specifically targeted by the authorities.
The memo contradicted assurances to EU officials from Besson and Lellouche that immigrants were being treated on a case-by-case basis.
The order, dated 5 August, was sent from the interior ministry to regional police chiefs.
“Three hundred camps or illegal settlements must be cleared within three months, Roma camps are a priority,” it said, according to the BBC.
Besson told France 2 television on Monday that he was “not aware of this circular”.
Last week the European Parliament urged the French government to halt the deportations – a call rejected by Paris.
On Monday Lellouche told the BBC he was “sick and tired” of the criticism directed at France over the Roma.
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