LOC15:56
12:56 GMT
PARIS, Oct 7 (KUNA) -- The French Interior Ministry on Thursday denied
allegations that a special unit formed to fight "itinerant delinquency" had
compiled a listing and files based on peoples ethnic origins.
A statement from the Interior Ministry said that "a genealogical filing
system" had been removed in 2007 in line with legal demands.
French daily "Le Monde" claimed on Thursday that the Central Office for the
Fight against Itinerant Delinquency (OCLDI) had recourse to files complied
using ethnic criteria.
Such files, based on genealogical characteristics or information, are
illegal in France.
The Interior Ministry also pointed out that the Gendarmes were in charge of
the OCLDI and they had joined the Interior Ministry authority only in 2009,
and as soon as the issue of ethnic profiling emerged the Interior Ministry set
up a control group to oversee the data base question.
France has been in the international spotlight for deporting thousands of
Roma gypsies in past months, despite European Union criticism of the operation
and complaints the deportations violate both EU and human rights laws.
French police officially deny that they were targeting the Roma gypsies,
who originated from Rumania and Bulgaria, but evidence has emerged that
specific orders were given in circulars issued by police authorities to target
the Roma "notably," when dismantling make-shift camps throughout France.
The government here said that the deportations were voluntary and it paid
Euros 300 (USD 415) to each returning adult agreeing to go back to Rumania and
Euros 100 for each child. (End)
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