Press Release 24 July 2007
Roma Repatriation
This morning at 5am approx 30 Gardai came to the Roma encampment at the M50. The Roma had been offered the option of voluntary repatriation to Romania. About 70 Roma took up this option, about 35 remain at the roundabout. The Roma, who took up the option to leave, will be put up at Ballseskin Reception centre and will be flown back to Romania tomorrow. The police undertook a very professional operation although the Roma did voice concerns about the interpreters who dealt with them last night stating they felt they were given no choice but to be re-patriated. Representatives of Pavee Point stayed at the roundabout all night to monitor the situation.
This morning at 5am approx 30 Gardai came to the Roma encampment at the M50. The Roma had been offered the Once again we call on the government to make provision for the Roma families who continue to stay on the roundabout in inhumane conditions. We also encourage them to take up the issue of the treatment of Roma in Romania with the government there. Equally there needs to be a European solution to what is a European problem. It is also important that the treatment of the Roma repatriated is monitored as they expressed fears about possible victimisation when they return to Romania.
Further information:
- Opportunity for Ireland to Promote Human Rights Should Not be Missed - Crosscare
- Irish Traveller Movement supports Pavee Point in its role in highlighting humanitarian crisis of Roma at M50
- 26 July 2007 - Pavee Point Statement
- Statement from ATD Fourth World
- Romani CRISS reports and Photographs
- Statement by the Children's Rights Alliance: Roma Crisis
- 24 July 2007 - Point of clarification
- 23 July 2007 - Pavee Point rejects accusations of the Embassy of Romania in Ireland
- 23 July 2007 - Press Release: Response to the Statement from the Romanian Embassy
- 21 July 2007 - Press Release: Deportation Notices an Inadequate Response to Roma Crisis
- Press release: Inhumane Living Conditions in Ireland- Not Acceptable, Action Demanded Now.
- Press Release June 07: Pavee Point and the Roma Support Group calls on Government to offer humane support to Roma Families camping on roundabout.
- Case Study: Rostas Family
- Statement from Anastasia Crickley of the the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
- Social Workers call for action to reunite children with parents. Press release from the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW)
- Social Workers call for government action on Roma family crisis in North Dublin
- Photographs from the scene at the Ballymun Roundabout
- Background context report by ERRC, Romania: State of Impunity Human Rights Abuse of Roma in Romania (PDF)
- Extract from Council of Europe/European Commission against Racism and Intolerence: Third Report on Roma (PDF)
- Campaign Support: How to support the Roma