EU members urged to shun racism

[pampango]

Source: Al Jazeera

European Commission chief urges nations to respect its minorities, in veiled criticism of Roma crackdown in France



The president of the European Commission has reminded EU member states to respect the rights of its citizens, in what has been seen as veiled criticism of France's policy towards it Roma minority. In his state of the union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Jose Manuel Barroso said European governments were obliged to respect the rights of minorities.

"Everyone in Europe must respect the law, and the governments must respect human rights, including those of minorities," Barroso said on Tuesday.

"Racism and xenophobia have no place in Europe. On such sensitive issues, when a problem arises, we must all act with responsibility."

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, has said France's expulsions are security measures to combat crime, but critics say they are part of a drive to revive his popularity and divert attention from pension reforms and spending cuts.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/09/201097141648850792.html