EU reaction to anti-Roma aggression in Serbia

30.7.2015

Question for written answer E-011960-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Terry Reintke (Verts/ALE)

53 Roma families in Belgrade are under acute threat of being evicted from their houses and becoming homeless. According to civil society organisations, the families have been living in the informal settlement since they fled from Kosovo in 1999. The settlement had been tolerated by the authorities since then, although there was a lack of any support or prospects for the families. The authorities have now decided to demolish the settlement without providing alternative housing, and have failed to communicate properly with the families.

1. Is the Commission aware of the situation described above?

2. Has the Commission responded to the situation and urged the authorities to take immediate measures to identify alternatives to the planned demolitions or otherwise provide the affected households with adequate alternative housing, in accordance with international human rights standards and in genuine consultation with the families concerned?

3. How is the Commission addressing the issue of forced evictions and displacement during the accession negotiations, for instance by calling on the authorities to adopt a law prohibiting forced evictions and ensuring that lawful evictions are carried out in accordance with international standards, as set out in the UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on Development-based Evictions and Displacement?