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Expulsion of Gypsies: New Age Discrimination or Justifiable Evil

Posted by EU Times on Jul 31st, 2010

It is not only in the highly romanticized versions of popular lore that the “Gypsies” are shrouded in mystery; scientific accounts of their origins reflect some degree of uncertainty as well. It appears that the term “gypsy” is a corruption of “Egyptian,” reflecting the widespread belief during the Middle Ages that these people were of Egyptian origin. It is most likely that they originated in northern India, in the Punjab region. Another interpretation claims that they acquired the name “gypsies” from their settlement in the Greek Peloponnesus near a village named “Gyppe”. The people fairly consistently call themselves Rom, or Roma. Recently, France and other European countries have been quietly expelling Roma, commonly referred to as Gypsies for a number of years, after they are unable to either obtain a work permit or show proof of employment. This is nothing new. Roma had been a scapegoat and cast out from other countries for centuries.

Fundamental Bedrocks of Human Rights

This raises a major issue – human rights. One of the fundamental bedrocks of human rights is the principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Discrimination and persecution on the grounds of race and ethnicity are clear violations of this principle. Racial discrimination can take many forms from the most brutal and institutional form of racism – genocide and apartheid, to more covert forms whereby certain racial and ethnic groups are prevented from enjoying the same civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as other groups in society. Racial and ethnic discrimination continues to be a major human rights problem in the world today facing both minority and sometimes even majority populations. Much of the early focus of international attention was on apartheid in South Africa, which came to an end in 1994. However, the struggle against ethnic and racial hatred has continued with the decade of the 1990′s being driven with some of the worst ethnic conflicts the world has ever seen in the Balkans and the Great Lakes region in Africa.

Characterized as Ethnic Minorities

Gypsies are often characterized as ethnic minorities and expulsion of ethnic minorities are a grave concern internationally. Surprising that the countries you preach significantly about ethnic parity, integration and assimilation are the same as those who foster ethnic alienation with the expulsion of gypsies. France is but one of these countries in Europe that have adopted the policy aimed at sending Gypsies home to Romania. However, it is not as simple as that. These people are forced to leave their homes, livelihood, communities, and are transformed into refugees. On the other hand, states in Europe, including France can easily grant them asylum, citizenship and protection. But what they do is not unlike what Nazi Germany did to these people who are to expel them. On the other hand, countries like France argue that these people are paid to get repatriation from Romania, and that it is better for these people and the country such as France that Gypsies go home.

References:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704476104575439184291076528.html

http://www.smh.com.au/world/france-defends-its-expulsion-of-gypsies-20100819-12s30.html

September 10, 2010 - Posted by kaity chambers | Society | Discrimination, ethnic minorities, expulsion of ethnic minorities, Gypsies, Human Rights