Five People Removed From Romanian Conference On Roma Situation, After Criticizing Govt

The conference, held in the Palace of Parliament, saw the launch of the Report on the Strategy to improve Roma people's situation.

After listening to Romanian President Basescu's speech, the Roma Civic Alliance (RCA) members began to protest against authorities' disinterest in supporting ethnic Roma. They displayed scarves with the message "Ten years of strategies, zero results" and accused the Government and other authorities of insufficient involvement in protecting Roma people.

The RCA officials brought up the expletive "stinking gypsy" used by the president in a private conversation a few years ago and a recent statement made by Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Baconschi, who said there are "certain physiological, natural crime problems in the heart of some Romanian communities, especially among ethnic Roma communities."

The protesters were removed from the room by officers of the Security and Protection Service (the President's guard), although the President said they are free to speak their minds.

"You won't let us speak," the protesters said. President Basescu replied "Speak then, who is holding you back?" as they were escorted out by the security officers.

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