ALDE is scandalised by news of a memo from the office of the French Interior ministry which quotes the Roma specifically in actions to close camps on the grounds of public order. This is a clear confirmation of the fears of the European Parliament expressed last week by a resolution and a blatant denial of the statements from the Immigration Minister who dared to suggest that "France has not taken any specific measure against the Roma".

"The arrogance with which the French authorities replied to the Parliamentary resolution is bluntly contradicted by reality. France has deliberately adopted a policy of discrimination", declared Sophie IN'T VELD (D66, Netherlands) vice President of the Civil Liberties Committee. "Faced with such behaviour the European Commission can no longer continue to say that it is taking its time, without any deadline, in analysing the situation and content itself with an amicable exchange of letters with Ministers who are clearly not cooperating honestly", she continued. "It is now its responsibility as guardian of the treaties to carry out its own inquiry to urgently send officials to the French administration concerned and if necessary to open an infringement procedure".

"Liberals and Democrats too attached to the universal values espoused by France for over 200 years and which constitutes the foundation of the EU, to let such an affront to fundamental rights and Community law pass without comment", continued Ms In't Veld. "France was behind the Lisbon Treaty which enshrines the Charter of Fundamental Rights, an integral part of all European legislation concerning free circulation and non-discrimination which are Community competences. If the EU institutions are not able to react to such a violation of our law and of our principles by one of the founding Member States then our credibility itself is at stake", she concluded.

For more information, please contact:

Neil Corlett: + 32-2-284 20 77 or + 32-478-78 22 84

e-mail: neil.corlett@europarl.europa.eu

Yannick Laude: +32-2-284 31 69 or + 32-495-22 78 37