What is your opinion on the deportation decree of Romanians deemed to be “socially dangerous” recently passed by the Italian government?
 
This emergency decree facilitates the deportation of Romanians and the Roma with limited procedural guarantees. I expect it will totally comply with the European and international human rights laws. I hope that Italian authorities will apply this decree with moderation and that any racial connotations will be avoided. Collective reprisals against nomad camps are deplorable. I also hope that the Italian government will avoid collective deportations and an arbitrary application of justice. Several lawyers have expressed strong doubts on the legality of the decree.

Which political actions need to be taken to avoid a deterioration of the relations between Italian and European governments, especially with Romania?

First of all, Italian politicians and media must stop demonizing Romanian citizens, including the Roma. I am strongly convinced that the so-called 'pacchetto sicurezza' and “expulsions” are not going to solve the problems of the Romanian community in Italy. Your country, as well as all the countries of the European Union, should set up strategies for their social integration and against their discrimination. These policies should also be adequately financed in order to foster the integration of immigrants from all over the world. I think that this is the only way to fight poverty and exclusion, and as a consequence to eliminate the tendency to commit crimes. Unfortunately, discrimination and politicians’ lack of action are responsible for the failure of integration policies. Since the beginning of my term I asked the European Union a collective approach to this problem. Italy and Romania should start to seriously face the problem, otherwise worse social conflicts are to be expected in the future. I think that the European Union is the right place where to tackle this issue. A few weeks ago, together with other 50 members of Parliament, I sent a letter to the Slovenian government, current EU president, asking for an intergovernative conference on the Roma. We are still waiting for an answer. My recommendation to the Italian government is that it works out a serious proposal to be submitted to the European Union.

Are there any funds allotted to the Roma minority in Europe by the European Union? If so, how are they used?

Funds do exist but they are limited. Last year my colleague Els De Groen asked the Commission to report to the Parliament on this matter. The Commission reported that in the years 2000-2005 funds, including the one for regional development, amounted to 250 million euros. If we consider that the Roma in the European Union’s territory are 100 millions, it means that in five years the sum spent for each of them amounts to less than three euros.

How does the “Decade of Roma inclusion” work? Which practical actions have been taken by this institution?

The “Decade of Roma inclusion” is not an institution. It is a project created by nine Eastern Europe states - including Romania and four EU member states – aiming at facilitating Roma integration within 2015. The Decade is a new initiative whose real potential hasn’t been used yet. Some policies have been started, but without European Union’s total involvement there are very few chances of success for this initiative, important as it may be.

Is the Roma situation in Hungary better than in other countries?

I would say no. In Hungary the Roma have the same problems of all the other member states. They are subject to discrimination and social exclusion. However, Hungarian government has established a series of policies, especially with regards to education, which are a first step towards Roma’s needs. In this field Hungary is much more ahead than Italy. I am really abashed by a member state of the European Union and of the G8 that is incapable to manage problems concerning the most fundamental human rights.

What are the possible solutions according to you?

Italy and Romania must find strategies for the integration of the Roma and of all the other immigrants, while the European Union needs to get involved in the development of  integration policies. Italy should also take immediate action to comply with the European policy on racial equality. Finally, I would like to stress the fact that the crime recently committed in Italy must be absolutely condemned, however, this cannot lead to xenophobia and racism. Our history shows how dangerous this attitude might be.

Luca Galassi