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Press Release - Roma Lives being put at Risk
Irish Traveller Movement
Press Release
Roma Lives being put at Risk
Mr. David Joyce spokesperson for the Irish Traveller Movement today expressed concern at the signing of the re-admission treaty between Ireland and Romania. Mr. Joyce said, “the persecution experienced by Roma in Romania is often not recognised” he fears “that this new agreement could lead to the lives of Roma being put at risk.”
Backing up his claims, Mr. Joyce drew attention to the work of the European Roma Rights Centre, a Budapest-based public interest law and monitoring organisation. This organisation documented 19 cases of police brutality in Romania between 1996 and 1998 none of which resulted in conviction, or even the prosecution, of an officer involved. The same organisation reports of the shooting dead of an unarmed Roma by the Police in October 1999. “Giving this record of the Romanian police it is deeply concerning that the Irish Government is now seeking the aid of the same police to assist with applications for Romanian asylum seekers,” added Mr. Joyce.
Mr. Joyce concluded by asking if Minister O’Donoghue had raised any concerns of the treatment of Roma in Romania during his visit there.
For further information contact
David Joyce or Fintan Farrell at 01 6796577 or 087 2220253
12 May 2000