[xqdrocherz]

France says comments by former Cuban leader Fidel Castro about its treatment of Roma migrants are unacceptable and show his ignorance of history.

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Mr Castro accused Paris of carrying out a "racial holocaust" over its expulsion of members of the Roma community.

France has come under increasing international criticism after about 1,000 Roma were deported recently.

The European Parliament has urged the government to halt the deportations - a call rejected by Paris.

"The use of 'holocaust' by Mr Castro demonstrates his ignorance of history and disdain towards its victims," said French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero. "Such words are unacceptable."

In a clear reference to Cuba's treatment of dissidents, Mr Valero added: "That Fidel Castro shows an interest in human rights is truly revolutionary."

"The use of 'holocaust' by Mr Castro demonstrates his ignorance of history and disdain towards its victims," said French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero. "Such words are unacceptable."

In a clear reference to Cuba's treatment of dissidents, Mr Valero added: "That Fidel Castro shows an interest in human rights is truly revolutionary."

French Irritation

Mr Castro, 84, made his controversial remark at an event in Havana to promote the second volume of his autobiography.

"The last thing one would expect is the news of the expulsion of French gypsies, who are victims of the cruelty of the extreme right wing in France," he said.

Migrants were, he said, "victims of another kind of racial holocaust".

Fidel Castro's words have clearly angered the French government, the BBC's David Chazan reports from Paris.

It has been irritated by international condemnation of its treatment of the Roma and comparisons with the round-ups of Jews under the Nazi occupation.

It says it is scrupulously observing French laws and European regulations.

Since Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007, many Roma have come to France.

But the government has blamed them for a rise in crime and violence and says they cannot stay in France without jobs.

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BBC News

Do you agree with Castro that the French government is being racist towards Roma gypsies?

What could be an alternative way of solving the Roma problem?

[raspirator]

Do you agree with Castro that the French government is being racist towards Roma gypsies?

What could be an alternative way of solving the Roma problem?

No, I don't. The french have the right as a sovereign country to do as they please inside their borders. What I criticize them with, though, is their hypocrisy when they point fingers at us dominicans when we try to contain the problem that their incurable stupidity, greed and cowardice left on the western side of Hispaniola.

[PymnImmen]

No, I don't. The french have the right as a sovereign country to do as they please inside their borders. What I criticize them with, though, is their hypocrisy when they point fingers at us dominicans when we try to contain the problem that their incurable stupidity, greed and cowardice left on the western side of Hispaniola.

So you agree that one EU member state should be able to deport citizens of another EU state despite their accepting of the 'no borders policy'?

France is known for doing one thing and saying another, I blame Sarkozy.

[ZAtlLVos]

So you agree that one EU member state should be able to deport citizens of another EU state despite their accepting of the 'no borders policy'?

France is known for doing one thing and saying another, I blame Sarkozy.

I wasn't aware that Romania or other countries of the former eastern block recognized gypsies as their citizens. If that is indeed the case, then the situation is complicated.

[overavantstandard]

Let Cuba take the fuckin' Gypsies then. I think they'd do well in a communist system.

[Ephedrine]

I %100 agree with Castro...Also if Turkey'd do the same against Kurds,EU and NATO would label us as barbarians...Hypocrisy

[muBXvWIC]

I %100 agree with Castro...Also if Turkey'd do the same against Kurds,EU and NATO would label us as barbarians...Hypocrisy

It would be worse if Germany and Holland did the same with Kurds

[BqTyG9eS]

It would be worse if Germany and Holland did the same with Kurds

I totally agree

[MilenaMKB]

It´s very easy to talk about how nice are the poor gypsies when you just have seen them in google images.

[DoroKickcrofe]

It´s very easy to talk about how nice are the poor gypsies when you just have seen them just in google images.

Sort of like the phrase: "Una cosa es llamar al diablo, y otra diferente es verlo llegar". (One thing is to call the devil, and another different thing is to see him coming).

[ycMC0PLg]

It´s very easy to talk about how nice are the poor gypsies when you just have seen them just in google images.

Check out the map I shared at the bottom of the first post.

In fact, here you go:

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[DonnyKong]

It´s very easy to talk about how nice are the poor gypsies when you just have seen them just in google images.

I know MANY gypsies,they are really good dancers,talented musicians and funny people...I wonder,why everyone hate them They live their lifes and I don't see a problem with them

[wpFWNoIt]

I know MANY gypsies,they are really good dancers,talented musicians and funny people...I wonder,why everyone hate them They live their lifes and I don't see a problem with them

Gypsies aren't hated in Turkey as much as they are in the rest of the world. We give them their own spaces to live and do whatever they do and they don't bother us.

[ArrichMer]

Gypsies aren't hated in Turkey as much as they are in the rest of the world. We give them their own spaces to live and do whatever they do and they don't bother us.

I agree...But in Eastern Europe and Central Europe,people treat them like they aren't humans

[MondayBlues]

I know MANY gypsies,they are really good dancers,talented musicians and funny people...I wonder,why everyone hate them They live their lifes and I don't see a problem with them

Well, I can give you some reasons about why they´re hated in Spain by everybody. By everybody i mean not only native spaniards, but also subsharan immigrants, latin americans...

-Very high criminality, higher than colombian,moroccan or any other immigrant community.

-Overprotected by the goverment. They get help, flats, money... everything payed by the rest of people. Working class spaniards need to pay a 30 years mortgage and to work during all their lifes to pay an appartment but being gypsy can allow you to get one for free. It´s an obvious case of racism.

-They dont care about the law and they dont contribute to the society. They live in their own guettos without paying taxes or working in something legal, they steal the electricity from the electric posts, sell drugs, most of them drive without license...

-Backwards way of thinking. Extremely racist, extremely homophobic, male chauvinism, double standards, violence and revenge as a way of life...

This is a typical gypsy neighbourhood in my country (Valencia in this case). You can listen them complaining because they want money and new appartments payed by the govement and at the same time you can check that they are a bunch of hypocrytes.They wear expensive clothes, they´ve expensive cars (& motorbikes, quads...), they´ve a big plasma TV at home, they´ve guns... and of course you can see how they get the money: selling hash, cocaine...

[zuhraliyana]

these gypsies act something like the American indians of the US, victimizing themselves but getting welfare and benefits form the government.

[Gymnarnemia]

Well, I can give you some reasons about why they´re hated in Spain by everybody. By everybody i mean not only native spaniards, but also subsharan immigrants, latin americans...

Is Daniel Guiza, Roma?

[Investblogger]

Is Daniel Guiza, Roma?

I think so, I´m not sure if half or full.
His nickname in the national team was "Gitano" (Gypsy)

[Nicihntm]

I think so, I´m not sure if half or full.
His nickname in the national team was "Gitano" (Gypsy)

That's why I asked. That and he doesn't immediately strike me as ethnic Spanish, based on the Spaniards I've seen.

[Rurcextedutty]

Gypsies aren't hated in Turkey as much as they are in the rest of the world. We give them their own spaces to live and do whatever they do and they don't bother us.

I agree...But in Eastern Europe and Central Europe,people treat them like they aren't humans

Yeah, Turks are the most tolerant people regarding gypsies..... blablaablaaa

Racist Attacks against Romani in Manisa

Tensions in the Manisa district of Selendi turned into a severe attack against Romani people on 6 January. Houses, towns and cars were destroyed in the racist attack. The displaced Romani were relocated in prefabricated houses in the nearby town of Salihli. Full article is here:
http://www.bianet.org/english/minori...mani-in-manisa