Roma (Hansard, 13 June 2003)

§ Bob Russell
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the(a) human rights and (b) equal rights of citizens of Roma ethnic minorities living in EU applicant states; and if he will make a statement. [114655]

§ Beverley Hughes
The Country Information and Policy Unit in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) closely monitors the situation of the Roma minorities in the EU accession states.
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Circumstances for Roma are difficult in a number of countries in central and eastern Europe, partly for reasons of societal prejudice and partly because of discriminatory treatment in various forms and to varying degrees. Governments in the EU accession states have enacted legislation and implemented programmes to improve circumstances for their minority communities and for Roma in particular.
Human Rights and equality issues with respect to Roma vary from country to country. This is reflected in the Country Assessments and Operational Guidance Notes produced by IND to provide guidance to those involved in decision making on asylum applications. These documents are available on the Home Office website.
The EU accession states have all been designated under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 as ones from which in general terms there is no serious risk of persecution. The Government is satisfied that the treatment of Roma will not in general amount to persecution and moreover that the states authorities in general provide sufficient protection.

§ Bob Russell
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of citizens from the Roma ethnic minorities in applicant states to the European Union who may seek residence in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [114685]

§ Beverley Hughes
Research conducted by University College London for the Home Office, which will be published on 5 June, suggests that the numbers of people who will migrate to the UK from the new Member States after enlargement will not be significant.
This research corroborates a number of other independent studies which have looked at the scale of migration flows after enlargement. These have been summarised in reports by the European Commission in 2000 and the former Department for Education and Employment in 1999.
None of this research has been able to predict exact numbers expected from specific countries or ethnic groups to the UK. However, enlargement should improve the quality of life for all citizens in the new Member States as their governments must enforce human rights and minority rights, including protection against racial discrimination, to EU standards before accession and subsequently. EU accession should also improve economic prospects in the new Member States so reducing the incentive for economic migration.