Alarming increase in discrimination against Romanian citizens in Europe

27.2.2015

Question for written answer E-003101-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Claudia Tapardel (S&D)

Having had drawn to my attention on a daily basis utterances in the European Parliament or the European media deliberately seeking to discredit and belittle Romanian citizens in Europe, I am, as an MEP, obliged to respond.

In view of recent attacks on Romanian citizens by a fellow MEP from Italy and by the British media, I consider it necessary for Europe to adopt a clear strategy in response to discrimination or racism in any form, wherever it occurs in the European Union.

I would remind you, in this connection, that an Italian MEP belonging to the Lega Nord, which frequently displays extremist tendencies, stated that many Romanians were willing to kill or commit mass murder for just a few euros.

Over the same period, British television broadcast a documentary on Channel 4 making some very unfair generalisations regarding Romanians and portraying in a highly unfavourable light a people that has offered and continues to offer a great deal to Europe as a whole.

In view of this:

What strategy does the Commission have to oppose discrimination and discourage racist attitudes on the part of European representatives and the media towards European citizens such as Romanians or Bulgarians?