European Parliament criticizes Nicolas Sarkozy?s ?witch-hunt?

Nevada : US-based Hindus and Jews have applauded European Parliament (EP) for sending a strong message to French President Nicolas Sarkozy regarding his apparent ?witch-hunt? against Roma (Gypsy) community.

EP, which met in Strasbourg (France) on September seven, held a debate on the burning issue surrounding treatment of Roma people in Europe.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a joint statement in Nevada on Wednesday, said that it showed that Europe would not tolerate racism and xenophobia projects undertaken by some European politicians. Freedom of movement rights should be enforced for ?all citizens? and not for just ?one class of citizens?.

?Politicians should not be permitted to boost their sagging popularity in tougher times at the cost of helpless Roma,? the statement read.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich criticized the European Commission (EC) for timid response on Roma expulsions and appearing to tone down the issue and added that it had failed to do its job on freedom of movement issues and protecting minority rights.

?It had not been doing enough to protect Roma, Europe?s largest ethnic minority numbering around 15-million, and seemed like refusing to accept its responsibility and closing its eyes when France was deporting Roma in apparent violation of rules. EC President Jos? Manuel Barroso did not even mention France by name on Roma issue in his State of the Union address to EP,? said the statement.

Rajan Zed and Jonathan Freirich pointed out that Europe?s slide towards racism and xenophobia, as it appeared from Roma maltreatment in various European countries, was unacceptable and should be stopped.

In addition to France, other European countries like Denmark, Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Italy had also reportedly deported Roma in the past.

Meanwhile, a Roma settlement was reportedly dismantled in Fleury-Merogis south of Paris on Tuesday displacing about 70 Roma, including 13 children who were leaving for school. These dismantlings, without providing an alternate accommodation, should immediately come to an end, Zed and Freirich stressed.