The Center for Legal Resources and Romani CRISS condemn the racist statements of MoFA Andrei Marga

During the televised show Realitatea la raport (Reality under review), from 17.05.2012, asked how he is going to manage the problem of the “scandal with the beggars in London”, Minister Marga replied: “We have this problem. (…) In London there was a pretty embarrassing situation. There were recorded, at least by the British press, many Roma buying vodka, enjoying themselves and sitting on the clean streets of London for the passersby to see them.” The Minister continues explaining that social workers and police officers have been sent to support London authorities in order to keep the problem under control, adding: “It is understood that the London Olympics is now attracting, and many people, not only from Romania, from this level of the society, is heading towards London. Let us hope that we will be able to keep under control. Certainly, our concern is, if you like, very intense in this direction. Why? An accident, an incident in this area would endanger our effort, more persistent than ever, to close the Schengen file, to get access to other facilities, such as the American visas, etc., etc.”

For more details see the file attached.

Press release