AEDH condemns the forced eviction of Roma in Baia Mare

AEDH condemns the forced eviction
of Roma in Baia Mare
Brussels, June 12th, 2012
AEDH strongly condemns the forced rehousing of 2,000 Romanian Roma to an old highly
toxic chemical plant.
Roma in the Craica and Pirita quarters in Baia Mare, situated in the North-West of Romania, have
had their housing threatened by demolition since April 2012, and were forcefully evicted in early
June. The town authorities relocated them to an old CUPROM works (a Romanian company
dealing in processing ferrous metals), where the old laboratory floors are still strewn with chemical
waste.
Relocating the Roma to this space is a serious violation of the right to housing. An old chemical
plant is not equipped with the installations necessary to provide an adequate living space, and is
extremely dangerous in regards to the health of its inhabitants.
Furthermore, AEDH deplores the fact that the Roma were not consulted during the relocation
process. Self-appointed ‘Roma representatives’ negotiated the eviction with authorities, using
threats and intimidation to force the families into signing agreements. At no point were the Roma
families made aware of expected rehousing conditions.
AEDH calls on the Romanian authorities to cease all forced evictions of the Roma, and to put
forward suitable rehousing alternatives for the evicted families.
In addition, AEDH calls on the European Commission, the European Parliament and citizens to
intervene with the Romanian government so that these members of the Roma community may be
rehoused in accordance with their rights and dignity. AEDH will be paying close attention to further
developments following this appeal.
Contact presse:
AEDH, Association Européenne pour la défense des Droits de l’Homme
33, rue de la Caserne. B-1000 Bruxelles
Tél : +32(0)25112100 Fax : +32(0)25113200 Email : [email protected]
The European Association for the Defence of Human Rights (Association Européenne pour la défense
des Droits de l’Homme - AEDH) consists of associations and leagues defending human rights in the
countries of the European Union. AEDH is an associate member of the International Federation of Human
Rights (Fédération internationale pour la défense des droits de l’Homme - FIDH). For more information, visit
www.aedh.eu.