Bulgarians and Romanians can be expelled through a so-called APRF, or 'prefectoral decision to be conducted at the border', on the basis of threats to public order or infringements of labour legislation. If the citizens concerned fail to produce a residence permit authorising them to work, they are subjected to such steps, Nabli explains, adding that the situation will remain unchanged until 2014, when nationals of the two EU countries will not be tied down by work restrictions. Another measure, called OQTF, or 'Obligation to leave French territory', can be taken in the event that the residence permit cannot be maintained or in the event of unemployment, when the individuals concerned do not have enough resources to meet their needs and are without medical coverage. Regarding the Roma expulsions, Nabli says that they appear to contradict the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which entered into force together with the Lisbon Treaty. He notes that the principle of non-discrimination protects the minorities' rights and prohibits collective expulsions. Nabli argues that "freedom of movement has no price" and consequently criticises the 300 euros of "assistance for departure" that the French authorities offer Roma (plus 100 euros per child) for receiving their signature on agreeing to leave French territory.
Bulgarians and Romanians can be expelled through a so-called APRF, or 'prefectoral decision to be conducted at the border', on the basis of threats to public order or infringements of labour legislation.
If the citizens concerned fail to produce a residence permit authorising them to work, they are subjected to such steps, Nabli explains, adding that the situation will remain unchanged until 2014, when nationals of the two EU countries will not be tied down by work restrictions.
Another measure, called OQTF, or 'Obligation to leave French territory', can be taken in the event that the residence permit cannot be maintained or in the event of unemployment, when the individuals concerned do not have enough resources to meet their needs and are without medical coverage.
Regarding the Roma expulsions, Nabli says that they appear to contradict the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which entered into force together with the Lisbon Treaty. He notes that the principle of non-discrimination protects the minorities' rights and prohibits collective expulsions.
Nabli argues that "freedom of movement has no price" and consequently criticises the 300 euros of "assistance for departure" that the French authorities offer Roma (plus 100 euros per child) for receiving their signature on agreeing to leave French territory.
A discussion on France's Roma expulsions, held in the Parliament's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE), saw the European far-right take the floor in defence of Sarkozy. Due to time constraints, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, the chair of the committee, gave only one minute for each MEP to react to a Commission presentation on France's controversial policy. Françoise Le Bail, the Commission's new director-general for justice, explained that the EU executive had not yet finalised its assessment of the conformity of the measures by the French government with EU legislation.
A discussion on France's Roma expulsions, held in the Parliament's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE), saw the European far-right take the floor in defence of Sarkozy.
Due to time constraints, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, the chair of the committee, gave only one minute for each MEP to react to a Commission presentation on France's controversial policy.
Françoise Le Bail, the Commission's new director-general for justice, explained that the EU executive had not yet finalised its assessment of the conformity of the measures by the French government with EU legislation.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission has in an internal report called into question the legality of France's recent dismantling of Roma camps and repatriations of roughly one thousand Romanian and Bulgarian citizens. "The Commission is seeking detailed information from the French authorities on whether and to which extent the safeguards required by the Free Movement Directive have been applied in recent cases," reads the report, seen by EUobserver. The 25-page long document, signed by three commissioners responsible for justice, home affairs and social affairs, requests "full clarification" on the voluntary repatriations, under which adults are paid €300 and children €100 to return home. "The fact alone that a lump sum is paid to EU citizens in case of return is (...) not sufficient for taking these returns out of the scope of the EU's free movement principles."
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission has in an internal report called into question the legality of France's recent dismantling of Roma camps and repatriations of roughly one thousand Romanian and Bulgarian citizens.
"The Commission is seeking detailed information from the French authorities on whether and to which extent the safeguards required by the Free Movement Directive have been applied in recent cases," reads the report, seen by EUobserver.
The 25-page long document, signed by three commissioners responsible for justice, home affairs and social affairs, requests "full clarification" on the voluntary repatriations, under which adults are paid €300 and children €100 to return home.
"The fact alone that a lump sum is paid to EU citizens in case of return is (...) not sufficient for taking these returns out of the scope of the EU's free movement principles."
Martine Aubry has been vocal in her opposition to French government policy, announced at the end of July, of dismantling illegal traveller camps and "repatriating" their non-French inhabitants, mainly to Romania and Bulgaria. Both countries are members of the European Union. ...On Wednesday, right-leaning daily Le Figaro published a letter written by Aubry's lawyer on July 19 to the main court in Lille, asking for an order for police to evict forcibly a Roma encampment in the northern French city.... Aubry hits back Aubry was quick to defend her actions and distance the "evacuation" of the Lille camp from the government's more hard-line policy of repatriation. ..."We do not want to be complicit in repatriations," she said in a statement, with the exception of cases where there is a serious security problem with certain individuals "which is certainly not the case in this instance". Aubry said that the administrative court at Lille had cancelled the expulsion from France of 11 people who had been arrested recently, on the grounds that "illegal occupation of land does not constitute a risk to public order".
...On Wednesday, right-leaning daily Le Figaro published a letter written by Aubry's lawyer on July 19 to the main court in Lille, asking for an order for police to evict forcibly a Roma encampment in the northern French city.
... Aubry hits back
Aubry was quick to defend her actions and distance the "evacuation" of the Lille camp from the government's more hard-line policy of repatriation.
..."We do not want to be complicit in repatriations," she said in a statement, with the exception of cases where there is a serious security problem with certain individuals "which is certainly not the case in this instance".
Aubry said that the administrative court at Lille had cancelled the expulsion from France of 11 people who had been arrested recently, on the grounds that "illegal occupation of land does not constitute a risk to public order".
Pressure on Eric Woerth, France's embattled labour minister, is mounting amid new allegations of wrongdoing and a new challenge from labour unions. His admission on Thursday, after months of denials, that he had in fact lobbied for a prestigious state award on behalf of his wife's future employer comes as the country's most powerful unions are squaring up to challenge Woerth over the government's proposed pension reform agenda. Despite solid support from President Nicolas Sarkozy throughout a summer of political controversy, a subtle hint was dropped this week that suggested Woerth's tenure in the cabinet may soon come to an end.
