France in fall-out with EU Commission over deportation of Roma

The deportations began in early August, when French president Nikolas Sarkozy associated illegal Roma camps with prostitution and child exploitation among others.

Last week, EU Members of Parliament (MPs) accused the commission of failing to protect the Roma deported from France. EU disciplinary action against France could lead to substantial fines.

During a news conference this morning, Reding said she will propose legal proceedings by the Commission over France’s actions and a Commission decision would be taken within two weeks.

France is being accused of violating EU law, which bans discrimination against any ethnic group or nationality. However, France denies the expulsions target an ethnic group, saying they are done on a case-by-case basis.

On Monday, a leaked circular sent from the interior ministry to regional police, asked for 300 camps to be cleared within three months, dated as August 5. The memo contradicted assurances to EU officials from French immigration minister Eric Besson and minister for Europe Pierre Lellouche that immigrants were being treated on a case-by-case basis.

"The role of the Commission as guardian of the treaties is made extremely difficult if we can no longer have confidence in the assurances given by two ministers in a formal meeting," Reding said.

She added:  "This is not a minor offence in a situation of this importance. After 11 years of experience in the Commission, I even go further: this is a disgrace."

On Monday Lellouche said he was "sick and tired" of the criticism directed at France over the Roma.