Bush's buddy Berlusconi caught creating files on Roma people

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Italian interior minister Roberto Maroni argues that the measure is designed to 'prevent phenomena such as begging'. But critics believe gypsy minorities are being unfairly targeted by the new, right-wing government led by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The European Commission has called for an investigation into the measures. Meanwhile, the European Parliament has just adopted a resolution that asks the Italian government to halt its plans. Euro MPs say it is unacceptable "to violate fundamental rights and to criminalise them."

The European Commission has called for an investigation into the measures. Meanwhile, the European Parliament passed a resolution today that asks the Italian government to halt its plans. Euro MPs say it is unacceptable "to violate fundamental rights and to criminalise them."

Italian MEP Monica Frassoni (Green Party) believes the authorities have already begun creating files on gypsies living in camps around major cities. She warns that this violates EU laws.

"The point is that the Italian government has issued a decree obliging all people living in camps - so normally gypsies - to be filed and to say where they come from and what ethnic origin they have. Even which religion they have, which is absolutely forbidden normally by our laws. It actually means you are creating a database based on ethnic origins. This is why we are putting so much focus on this: because there is a direct contradiction with European legislation."

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/europe/080710-eu-italy-roma-gypsies