Evicted Roma Families at Risk in France

21 March 2012

Lyon, Budapest, 21 March 2012: The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is writing to express concern about multiple forced evictions and attacks on Roma taking place in Vaulx-en-Velin, Lyon. The ERRC is calling on authorities to act immediately to provide safe and secure accommodation for a Romani community who are at immediate risk.

A total of 130 Romani individuals, including 35 children, are currently living in inadequate accommodation, where they face violent attacks. On March 4, an unidentified attacker threw a Molotov cocktail, destroying a car. The families were evicted from a school building on February 27, after their previous accommodation was burned down in unexplained circumstances. According to local activists, authorities have repeatedly evicted these families.

The ERRC is calling on French authorities to provide adequate alternative housing for the evicted families. The attacks against this community should be investigated and anyone involved should be prosecuted.  In the longer-term, authorities must find sustainable, adequate integrated housing solutions for all Roma and implement meaningful employment, education and health projects to promote real inclusion of Roma in the Lyon area.

The letter is available in English and French.

For more information, contact:

Sinan Gökcen
Media and Communications Officer
European Roma Rights Centre
sinan.gokcen@errc.org
+36.30.500.1324