A Europe of Rights and Values? Public Debates on Sarkozy's Roma Affair in France, Bulgaria and Romania

Abstract

This article analyses press coverage between July and October 2010 in three different European Union (EU) member states (France, Romania and Bulgaria) of the French government's expulsion of Roma in 2010. It asks what the international reaction to France's actions tells us about the way in which Europe is deployed in debates over discrimination, minority rights and freedom of movement in national media. The article finds evidence in national public debates of a Europeanisation of normative discussions, thanks to a willingness by a range of actors to use the EU in an instrumental way for political gain. However, the representation of issues and actors by the press also demonstrates the ways in which the prominence of supposedly European norms, and the framing of the EU's role, can be associated with national political dynamics, both in relation to the political environment and contemporary narratives regarding national identity.

Keywords:

• EU Free Movement
• Non-Discrimination
• Minority Rights
• Roma

Notes

[1] See for example, The Economist, 23/09/10: ‘France v the world: How the Romani row has dented France's international standing’.

[2] Italy adopted similar policies against the Roma in 2007–2008 with forced closure of Roma camps, mass fingerprinting (including that of children) and enforced repatriations of those presenting a ‘security risk’ (see Fekete 2009).

[3] Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin.

[4] See for example September 2012 special issue of Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.

[5] The circulaire was dated 5 August and signed by Michel Bart, Interior ministry.

[6] The meanings of ‘rights’, ‘values’ and ‘norms’ can be ambiguous. Here we use ‘values’ in its broadest sense (as ideas about moral questions). ‘Norms’ are seen as values which are commonly held across groups or societies; ‘rights’ refer to those values which have become legally codified.

[7] Although the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, founded in 1990, is seen as representing ethnic Turks and has played a decisive role in Bulgarian politics.

[8] Le Monde (2 October 2010) ‘Etienne Mougeotte n'entend pas changer la ligne du “Figaro”’ http://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2012/02/10/etienne-mougeotte-n-entend-pas-changer-la-ligne-du-figaro_1641966_3236.html.

[9] Since October 2011 the newspaper has switched to online-only.

[10] Adevărul (27 August 2010) ‘Ministerul Muncii: “romii veniţi din Franţa nu au fost expulzaţi, ci s-au întors de bună voie”’ http://www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/social/Ministerul_Muncii-_romii_veniti_din_Franta_nu_au_fost_expulzati-ci_s-au_intors_de_buna_voie_0_324568053.html.

[11] Sorin Ghica (20 August 2010) Adevărul ‘S-au întors euroţiganii’ http://www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/eveniment/S-au_intors_eurotiganii_0_319768635.html.

[12] Adevărul (26 August 2010) ‘Expulzarea ţiganilor români, partea a doua: Alţi 230 de romi trimişi joi înapoi în România’ http://www.adevarul.ro/international/europa/Expulzarea_tiganilor_romani-partea_a_doua-_Alti_230_de_tigani_trimisi_joi_inapoi_in_Romania_0_323967952.html

[13] Viorica Marin (30 July 2010) Adevărul ‘Nicolas Sarkozy ne trimite ţiganii înapoi la pachet’ http://www.adevarul.ro/international/Nicolas_Sarkozy_ne_trimite_tiganii_inapoi_la_pachet_0_307169866.html#

[14] Adevărul (12 July 2010) ‘VIDEO Cum au blocat hoţii români în Franţa 120 de TGV-uri’ http://www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/eveniment/Hoti_romani_mai_rapizi_decat_TGV_0_296370743.html.

[15] Florin Iaru (7 August 2010) Adevărul ‘Mica ţiganiadă europeană’ http://www.adevarul.ro/florin_iaru_-_opinii/Mica_tiganiada_europeana_7_312638736.html.

[16] Dnevnik (25 August 2010) ‘Никoлaй Млaдeнoв: Ситуaциятa c poмитe нe ce пpeдcтaвя пpaвилнo oт мeдиитe’ http://www.dnevnik.bg/bulgaria/2010/08/25/950994_nikolai_mladenov_situaciiata_s_romite_ne_se_predstavia/.

[17] Иpинa Hoвaкoвa (16 September 2010) Dnevnik: ‘Бopиcoв: Haлoжи ce мнeниeтo, чe poмитe ca нoмaди, нa кoитo тpябвa дa им ce дaдe възмoжнocт дa oбикaлят из Eвpoпa’ http://www.dnevnik.bg/evropa/novini_ot_es/2010/09/16/961652_borisov_naloji_se_mnenieto_che_romite_sa_nomadi_na/.

[18] Dnevnik (17 September 2010) ‘Жуpнaлиcт нa “Льo мoнд”: Сoфия нaй-ceтнe cи нaмepи мяcтoтo’ http://www.dnevnik.bg/sviat/2010/09/17/961928_jurnalist_na_lyo_mond_sofiia_nai-setne_si_nameri/.

[19] Grigore Cartianu (22 August 2010) Adevărul ‘Panarrames rromales’ http://www.adevarul.ro/grigore_cartianu/Panarrames_rromales_7_321637836.html#.

[20] Grigore Cartianu (23 August 2010) Adevărul ‘Am întâlnit şi ţigani cinstiţi’ http://www.adevarul.ro/grigore_cartianu/Am_intalnit_si_tigani_cinstiti_7_322237778.html.

[21] Adevărul (24 August 2010) ‘Spirala nocivă a urii împotriva romilor’ http://www.adevarul.ro/international/foreign_policy/Spirala_nociva_a_urii_impotriva_romilor_0_322168341.html.

[22] Adevărul (20 August 2010) ‘“Euroţiganii” din Bihor au fost repatriaţi joi din Franţa, fiind aţteptaţi în localităţile natale’ http://www.adevarul.ro/locale/oradea/Eurotiganii-Bihor-repatriati-autoritatile-intoarcerii_0_320368162.html.

[23] Sorin Ghica (20 August 2010) Adevărul ‘S-au întors euroţiganii’ http://www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/eveniment/S-au_intors_eurotiganii_0_319768635.html.

[24] Adevărul (12 July 2010) ‘VIDEO Cum au blocat hoţii români în Franţa 120 de TGV-uri’ http://www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/eveniment/Hoti_romani_mai_rapizi_decat_TGV_0_296370743.html#.

[25] Иpинa Hoвaкoвa (16 September 2010) Dnevnik: ‘Бopиcoв: Haлoжи ce мнeниeтo, чe poмитe ca нoмaди, нa кoитo тpябвa дa им ce дaдe възмoжнocт дa oбикaлят из Eвpoпa’ http://www.dnevnik.bg/evropa/novini_ot_es/2010/09/16/961652_borisov_naloji_se_mnenieto_che_romite_sa_nomadi_na/.

[26] Adevărul (28 July 2010) ‘România, pusă la zid din cauza ţiganilor’ http://www.adevarul.ro/international/Romania-pusa_la_zid_din_cauza_tiganilor_0_305969973.html.

[27] Adevărul (1 September 2010) ‘Europa, la vânătoare de ţigani. La propriu’ http://www.adevarul.ro/international/Europa-la_vanatoare_de_tigani-_La_propriu_0_326967895.html.

[28] Adevărul (29 July 2010) ‘Guvernul francez: “Aşteptăm poliţişti din România să aresteze romii”’ http://www.adevarul.ro/international/europa/Guvernul_francez-_-Asteptam_politisti_din_Romania_sa_aresteze_romii_0_307169788.html#.

[29] Adevărul (19 August 2010) ‘Francezul Sarkozy şi ţiganul Sarközi’ http://www.adevarul.ro/international/Francezul_Sarkozy_si_tiganul_Sarkozi_0_319768606.html.

[30] Adevărul (26 August 2010) ‘Soluţie pentru ţigani: România, ajutată de Franţa, va cere mai mulţi bani UE’ http://www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/social/Solutie_pentru_tigani-_Romania-ajutata_de_Franta-va_cere_mai_multi_bani_UE_0_323968111.html.

[31] Le Figaro (12 August 2010) ‘Discriminations/ONU: Paris doit répondre’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/08/12/97001-20100812FILWWW00302-discriminationsonu-paris-doit-repondre.php.

[32] Le Figaro (12 August 2010) ‘ONU/Roms: vives attaques de l'UMP’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/08/13/97001-20100813FILWWW00280-onuroms-vives-attaques-de-l-ump.php.

[33] Dominique de Villepin (23 August 2010) Le Figaro ‘Une tache de honte sur notre drapeau’ http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2010/08/23/villepin-une-tache-de-honte-sur-notre-drapeau_1401652_3232.html#ens_id=1390910.

[34] Le Figaro (24 August 2010) ‘Besson: “635 Roms ont été reconduits”’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/08/24/97001-20100824FILWWW00577-besson-635-roms-ont-ete-reconduit.php.

[35] Ovidiu Nahoi (19 September 2010) Adevărul ‘Nu despre ţigani e vorba!’ http://www.adevarul.ro/ovidiu_nahoi_-_editorial/Nu_despre_tigani_e_vorba_7_338436158.html.

[36] Adrian Halpert (28 July 2010) Adevărul ‘Ţiganii noştri sunt şi ai lor!’ http://www.adevarul.ro/adrian_halpert_-_editorial/Tiganii_nostri_sunt_si_ai_lor_7_306639341.html.

[37] Dnevnik (13 October 2010) ‘ДПC иcкa пapлaмeнтът дa глacувa дeклapaция cpeщу дeпopтиpaнeтo нa poми oт Фpaнция’ http://www.dnevnik.bg/bulgaria/2010/10/13/976158_dps_iska_parlamentut_da_glasuva_deklaraciia_sreshtu/.

[38] Dnevnik (18 August 2010) ‘MВP: He ce oчaквa дeпopтaция нa бългapcки poми oт Фpaнция’ http://www.dnevnik.bg/sviat/2010/08/18/948422_mvr_ne_se_ochakva_deportaciia_na_bulgarski_romi_ot/.

[39] Dnevnik (18 September 2010) ‘Бългapи и poми ce cъбиpaт нa пpoтecт пpeд фpeнcкoтo пocoлcтвo’ http://www.dnevnik.bg/bulgaria/2010/09/18/962304_bulgari_i_romi_se_subirat_na_protest_pred_frenskoto/.

[40] Le Figaro (21 July 2010) ‘Sarkozy “stigmatise” les Roms (LDH)’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/07/21/97001-20100721FILWWW00364-sarkozy-stigmatise-les-roms-ldh.php.

[41] Le Figaro (26 July 2010) ‘Roms: une “stigmatisation scandaleuse”’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/07/26/97001-20100726FILWWW00379-roms-une-stigmatisation-scandaleuse.php.

[42] Le Figaro (26 July 2010) ‘Roms: réunion décriée par la gauche’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/07/26/97001-20100726FILWWW00216-roms-reunion-decriee-par-la-gauche.php.

[43] Le Figaro (27 July 2010) ‘Roms: pas de stigmatisation (Hortefeux)’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/07/27/97001-20100727FILWWW00570-roms-pas-de-stigmatisation-hortefeux.php.

[44] Le Figaro (12 September 2010) ‘Roms: une association prévoit un recours’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/09/12/97001-20100912FILWWW00165-roms-une-association-prevoit-un-recours.php.

[45] Bastien Hugues (16 September 2010) Le Figaro ‘Roms: à Bruxelles, Sarkozy maintient le cap’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2010/09/16/01002-20100916ARTFIG00611-roms-a-bruxelles-sarkozy-maintient-son-cap.php.

[46] Le Figaro (17 September 2010) ‘Ciotti approuve la “colère” de Sarkozy’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/09/17/97001-20100917FILWWW00315-ue-ciotti-approuve-la-colere-de-sarkozy.php.

[47] Le Figaro (19 October 2010) ‘Roms: aucune procédure ne sera lancée contre Paris’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2010/10/19/01003-20101019ARTFIG00308-roms-aucune-procedure-ne-sera-lancee-contre-paris.php.

[48] Le Figaro (29 July 2010) ‘Roms: l'UE approuve la position française’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/07/29/97001-20100729FILWWW00428-roms-l-ue-approuve-la-position-francaise.php.

[49] Grigore Cartianu (13 September 2010) Adevărul ‘De la „Allez, allez!“ la „Ales bules“’ http://www.adevarul.ro/grigore_cartianu/De_la_-Allez-allez-_la_-Ales_bules_7_334836515.html.

[50] Phillips, Leigh (24 August 2010) ‘Prospect of French “anti-Roma” summit disturbs EU presidency’ EU Observer http://euobserver.com/justice/30668.

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[52] Mircea Vasilescu (14 September 2010) Adevărul ‘Bâlbâială pe franţuzeşte’ http://www.adevarul.ro/mircea_vasilescu/Balbaiala_pe_frantuzeste_7_335436454.html.

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[54] Le Figaro (18 August 2010) ‘Roms: Paris défend ses mesures’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/08/18/97001-20100818FILWWW00431-roms-paris-defend-ses-mesures.php.

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[65] Le Figaro (16 September 2010) ‘Merkel voudrait aussi évacuer des camps’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/09/16/97001-20100916FILWWW00650-merkel-voudrait-aussi-evacuer-des-camps.php.

[66] Le Figaro (16 September 2010) ‘Roms: Prague soutient la France’ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/09/16/97001-20100916FILWWW00677-roms-prague-soutient-la-france.php.

[67] Adevărul (21 August 2010) ‘Ministru suedez: Franţa trebuie sancţionată financiar pentru expulzarea rromilor’ http://www.adevarul.ro/international/europa/Ministru_suedez-_Franta_trebuie_sanctionata_financiar_pentru_expulzarea_romilor_0_320968061.html.

[68] European Parliament and Council Directive 2004/38/EC of 29 April 2004.