A French aid organisation has accused the government of 'declaring war' on Roma migrants saying the destruction of illegal camps was forcing many in the minority to sleep rough. 'This summer, there has been a veritable declaration of war which has manifested itself in the systematic destruction of the places in which they live,' said Dr Philippe Rodier of Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World). Dr Rodier was speaking ahead of a demonstration against the crackdown in the southern city of Marseille. According to the organisation, nine of the 14 main Roma camps in the city have been destroyed, with hundreds of people forced to live in the streets. 'Our teams have heard that things are very hard for (Roma) families, who have been gravely insulted,' said Dr Rodier. French authorities have linked the Roma to crime and expelled nearly 1,000 to Romania and Bulgaria since announcing a high-profile crackdown in July, sparking international criticism. More than 8,000 have been deported since the beginning of the year, with 9,875 expelled throughout last year. Elsewhere, unions have launched a week of protests with a Paris rally that could provide an early measure of resistance to pension reforms on which President Nicolas Sarkozy has staked his political reputation. Unions and human rights groups gathered to protest against security measures, including the repatriation of the Roma. Critics see that action as part of a drive by Sarkozy to revive his popularity before 2012 elections and divert attention from painful pension reforms and spending cuts. Mr Sarkozy faces a bigger test on Tuesday when workers hold a nationwide strike and protests over the pension reforms he says are essential to cut the country's budgetary deficit. He said yesterday that he was determined to stand by the reforms, which among other things will raise the retirement age to 62 from 60. Unions say everything from schools and public transport to telecommunications will be disrupted. The National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, begins debating the pension reforms that day.
RTE
