Stories, Roma people
Roma Exodus

I have just finished working on a project about Roma people of Romanian origin living in Paris. I accompanied them in Romania, on their trip back to France, and in Paris, documenting their daily activities.

When Viorel and his parents decided to go back to Paris I accompanied them all the way. In Paris we spent almost one week together. They live in an abandoned building in Villejuif, on the outskirts of Paris.

Every day they go to Belleville, where they try to sell old clothes. And every day they are chased away by the French police, but in a way I have never seen them use when dealing with the African or Arab immigrants who peddle fake brand names or similar goods.

To the French, the Roma are a Trojan horse. Citing public order, they are getting ready to pass a shameful law against a small, mainly orthodox Roma community, too poor and helpless to respond.

But this law is meant for the offspring of the Arab and north-African immigrants who caused major riots in both 2005 and 2007. To target them, given their numbers and religion would have been too crazy even for Sarkozy. But once the law is passed, it will apply to all, indiscriminately.

As France is adopting almost racist measures against Roma, I believe it is our moral duty to act now and not to let this slide, especially in the light of the French parliament preparing to adopt a law to back up their plans to deport Roma immigrants based on their ethnicity. This will create a precedent and it will only be a matter of time before other countries will follow the French lead.

Moving them from point A to point B will not solve the issue. People seem to forget that we are not talking about immigrants from outside the EU, seeking refuge, but about EU citizens with full rights. Given French pressure and the international agenda, I believe that the favourable momentum initially created by the international organisms, when they condemned French actions, will soon fade away.

In Romania, racism is a big issue, and so I would like to be able to tell the world that I did everything in my power, not just to defend Roma rights, but also ours, as Romanians. I cannot hope for much, if at anything, from my own government. Their racism is all too familiar. Just a few years ago, our elected president, Traian Basescu, made a racist remark, calling a journalist a “stinking gipsy”, not to mention his recent comments, when he claimed that Sarkozy’s actions were somehow justified. It is very sad for me to see people demonstrating for Roma rights in the UK or US, whereas over here nobody lifts a finger. On the contrary, they silently or even openly welcome Sarkozy’s decision.

In a way, as a Romanian, I also feel discriminated against by France’s actions against the Roma. Sending them back to Romania, without any plan to solve this issue, knowing that back home there is little, if any, sympathy for their situation, is their way of saying that the Roma are good enough for the majority of Romanians (second-class EU citizens), but not good enough for the French (first-class EU citizens). For many years, the French have been awarding gold medals at Cannes to films and television commercials depicting the life of the Roma. Not one of those movies presented them as ordinary law-abiding citizens. It seems that it is easier to award a prize and claim you are a champion of human rights than to find real solutions to real problems. To me this is the highest form of hypocrisy.

In a futile attempt, I wrote a letter to our foreign affairs minister, Mr. Teodor Baconschi, urging him to take action. His reaction was to show the letter to another photographer, asking him who I was…

The failure to apply the law, for various reasons that include fear and bribes, and complicity in the situation in which most of Roma do not to send their kids to school are the reasons for the current situation. One hundred years ago, only a tiny handful of Romanian peasants sent their kids to school. One hundred years later, almost all the majority ethnic group go to school. Some believe the Roma will be a lost cause forever. I say: we do not need to wait another hundred years to integrate them. By applying the same laws to them as we do to the majority, we can persuade them to send their kids to school. Education has liberated the rest of us and without doubt it will have the same effect on the Roma too… But we cannot expect them to send their kids to school when they have no running water, food, or proper clothing. We have to help.

When we joined EU, the Roma issues became a European issue. France and all the other EU countries must now become part of the solution. They can no longer wash their hands and claim this is only a Romanian issue. We have failed and we have to admit it. Now, they can’t hope for help from any other quarter except from the UN, EU and other similar organisations. This is why I believe it’s important to tell their story and to stand up for their rights.

If necessary, infringement measures must be adopted against both France and Romania, before this issue escalates into a major problem.

I have already done everything that it was in my power to do. Now it is up to those who claim they represent the Roma to make a stand against human rights abuses, to put this shameful event back on media agenda, and to see that justice is served.

Roma Exodus
✖
Romanians of Roma origins chased by the France police as seen in Belleville, Paris, on September 28, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian of Roma origins cuts a Mercedes to collect the scrap metal, as seen in Calvini on September 18, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Roma teenagers from Calvini seen playing in the backyard of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins chased by French police as seen in Paris on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Interior of a Roma house as seen in Calvini on September 16, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Elderly muslim man riding the metro as seen in Paris on September 28, 2012. The romas where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins that signed the 'voluntary' deportation papers seen spending the night under the sky at the rally point from where they will be taken back to Romania the next morning, as see in in Paris on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins fetch the ball that landed on the roof of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, as seen in France, on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Ms. Dulca in the front-yard of her house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. Recently returned from Paris, Ms Dulca went back to France, after just a few weeks stay in Romania.The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins pose for the camera as seen in Calvini on September 16, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Interior of the abandoned building the Roma people from Calvini occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins wiring for the buss to take them to Paris as seen in Ploiesti on September 18, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian of Roma origins see their relatives to the buss station and bid them farewell as they leave for France or Italy, as seen in Calvini on September 18, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Viorel Dulca trying to fix the windows after they where broken by franc police in an attempt to force them out of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, as seen in France, on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Roma people selling stollen cloths as seen in Belleville, Paris, on September 28, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Ms. Dulca and her daughter in law, seen through the window, in the front-yard of her house house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. Recently returned from Paris, Ms Dulca went back to France, after just a few weeks stay in Romania. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Laura and her father, in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. Recently returned from Paris, Laura went back to France, after just a few weeks stay in Romania. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Viorel Dulca on his way to the subway as seen in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins picking nuts in a nut tree in the backyard of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, as seen in France, on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian of Roma origins see their relatives to the buss station and bid them farewell as they leave for France or Italy, as seen in Calvini on September 18, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian of Roma origins seen on the buss on his way to Italy, in Calvini on September 18, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Roma craftsman manufacture aluminium pottery for sale in front of his house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 16, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Ms. Dulca (Ninita) in the front-yard of her house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. Recently returned from Paris, Ms Dulca, her husband and their son Viorel (not depicted here) went back to France, after just a few weeks stay in Romania. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kid of Roma origins from Calvini, seen trying to set up the TV, in the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 28, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins from Calvini, on their way to the flee market in Belleville, Paris as seen on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins as seen in Calvini on September 16, 2010. People living on the hose on the left organise transport for Roma people to destinations such as Italy, France, or Spain, as advertise on the wall. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian underage kid of Roma origins, in the business of busting cars, as seen in Calvini on September 25, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Viorel Dulca (left), Ninita Dulca and Laura (right) seen in the backyard of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Roma, recently returned from Paris, attend to daily household activities in front of their house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins that signed the 'voluntary' deportation papers seen spending the night under the sky at the rally point from where they will be taken back to Romania the next morning, as see in in Paris on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Ms Dulca seen resting in the backyard of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, as seen in France, on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Ms. Dulca and Catalin, in the front-yard of her house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. Recently returned from Paris, Ms Dulca and Catalin went back to France, after just a few weeks stay in Romania. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Roma craftsman manufacture aluminium pottery for sale in front of his house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 16, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
"Voluntary" deportation papers as seen in the backyard of the abandoned building the roma people from Calvini occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of non-roma origins ridding the same buss to Paris as the roma people from Calvini, as seen in Miercurea Sibiului on September 19, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins seen in front of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins see their parents to the buss station and bid them farewell as they leave for France or Italy, as seen in Calvini on September 18, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins from Calvini react as they discover that french police broker the windows of the house they occupy illegally in Villejuif, in an attempt to chase them away, September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Roma people selling stollen cloths as seen in Belleville, Paris, on September 28, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Mr. Tuca laying in bed in his house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. Recently returned from Paris, he went back to France, after just a few weeks stay in Romania. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Stock of unsold aluminium pottery, in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 16, 2010. The traditional Roma craftsman find it difficult, due to current economic situation, to sell what they produce. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Viorel Dulca seen in front of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins wiring for the buss to take them to Paris as seen in Ploiesti on September 18, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian of Roma origins wiring for the buss to take them to Paris as seen in Ploiesti on September 18, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins from Calvini, seen playing in the backyard of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Roma family in front of their house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 16, 2010. Some of them recently return from France, other from Spain. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Home, at Dulca Viorel (Calvini, jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. The luggages await for him and his parents to find the money for the buss fair to Paris. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins as seen in Calvini on September 16, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
The buss taking the Roma from Calvini back to Paris as seen in Miercurea Sibiului on September 19, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian kids of Roma origins play football in the backyard of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, as seen in France, on September 27, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian of Roma origins as seen in Calvini on September 16, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Laura and Ricardo in front of their house in Calvini (jud. Buzau, Romania) on September 15, 2010. Recently returned from Paris, they went back to France in the next couple of weeks, after just a few weeks stay in Romania.The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanian girls of Roma origins from Calvini, seen helping each other to groom their hair, in the backyard of the abandoned building they occupy illegally in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, on September 28, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins that signed the 'voluntary' deportation papers seen taking the buss to the rally point from where they will be taken back to Romania the next morning, as see in in Villejuif on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Romanians of Roma origins that signed the 'voluntary' deportation papers seen close to the rally point from where they will be taken back to Romania the next morning, as see in in Villejuif on September 29, 2010. The Roma where offered money, by the french authorities, in return for their 'voluntary' deportation back to Romania.
Others you may like
Baia Mare

Baia Mare

Roma people
Eforie Sud

Eforie Sud

Roma people
Tinca

Tinca

Roma people
Cuza Voda

Cuza Voda

Roma people