In light of recent evidence uncovered in an
investigative video piece
by Channel 4 news, we are urging the
Public Prosecutors, and Prefects for Equality, in
Lille and Nice to identify the perpetrators of
these racist assaults and take appropriate action
against them, in coordination with the English
Football Association and UEFA if necessary.
The video published by Channel 4 news shows
an England supporter in Lille offering Romani
children €5 to perform oral sex on him or drink
his urine before telling them to “Fuck off you
Romanian bastards”. This is around the same time
that England fans were witnessed throwing coins
and bottles on the floor for Romani children to
pick up and fight over. The nature of the abuse is
further underscored by the fans referring to the
children as ‘gypos’ who will come to England to
“rob” them. In addition, the Russian journalist
who filmed the football fans claimed that
“police
were not far [away], but they did
nothing”.
Another incident filmed by Channel 4 in Nice
on the 26th June, shows England fans to be fully
aware of the specific racism which they are
exhibiting. In broad daylight, England fans refer
to Roma as ‘Pakis of Europe’ before chanting that
they ‘all hate Pakis’, which is concerning on
multiple levels. The most distasteful example of
the deliberate and specific nature of anti-Roma
abuse comes when England fans up the ante and
chant that they will ‘gas you all’, in direct
reference to the Romani holocaust where between
500 thousand and 1.5 million Roma perished at the
hands of the Nazis and their
collaborators..
The ERRC and FARE Network are appalled by the
unacceptable and intimidating behavior of the
group of fans in this video.
Given the serious nature of these incidents
involving children, the ERRC calls for the
Prefects for Equal Opportunities in Lille and Nice
to issue a prompt, public response condemning the
actions of these fans; and to take measures for
protecting Roma children’s rights in accordance
with article 2 of the
International Convention on
the Rights of the Child.
It is clear that aggressive, racially
motivated incidents occurred in Lille and Nice.
Thus, the full investigation and prosecution (if
appropriate) of those involved is a matter of
protecting the rights of both the children
affected and the entire Roma community. We call on
the Public Prosecutors to investigate these cases
in accordance with the existing protocols,
guidelines and decisions taken by their respective
departments set to determine the racist
motivations of the perpetrators.
“A racist minority of England
football fans are behaving as if they are above
the law. This cannot be allowed to continue. These
horrendous acts of outright racism and child abuse
are unacceptable and would not be tolerated if the
victims belonged to another ethnic group, so why
are the abuses allowed to occur time and time
again against Roma? Those responsible must be
publically condemned and the authorities must
seriously investigate this as a crime of racial
hatred.” - Ðorđe Jovanović, ERRC
President
Our communications to the Public Prosecutors
for Lille and Nice are available in English and
French:
Lille –
English,
Francais, Nice –
English,
Francais. Our
communications to the Prefects for Equality in
Lille and Nice are available in English and
French:
Lille –
English,
Francais, Nice –
English,
Francais.
For more information contact:
Jonathan
Lee
Communications Officer
European Roma
Rights Centre
Tel: 0036 1 413 22 44
jonath...@errc.orgRadost
Zaharieva
Country Facilitator for
France
European Roma Rights Centre
Tel: 0033
7 61 06 06 78
radost.z...@errc.org Mariana
Linhan
Media Officer
FARE
Network
Tel: 0044 20 7253 6795
© ERRC 2016. All rights
reserved