Romanian crime abroad - no Shengen for Romanians!
Officials in some European Union countries have voiced discontent over the growing number of human-trafficking gangs that have flooded Western cities from Romania since the EU lifted its visa regime for that country in January. Such gangs -- including Romany networks -- smuggle handicapped children into the EU, where they force them to beg.
Several European Union countries have noted a rise over the past several months in crimes perpetrated on their territory by Romanian nationals. Criminal networks -- including Romany gangs -- that smuggle prostitutes, beggars, and sometimes handicapped children out of Romania have in recent months been active in Spain, Italy, and especially France.
French police recently cracked down on a gang trafficking handicapped Romany children from Romania and forcing the children to beg in French towns. France subsequently expelled 10 ethnic Roma back to Romania for their involvement in trafficking.
Romania, a country of 22 million, is one of Europe''s poorest states, with an average monthly income of some $100. Between the new travel restrictions and growing economic hardship at home, the number of Romanians venturing to the EU has dropped by almost 20 percent this year. However, Romanian officials say measures are easy to meet for well-organized and well-funded criminal gangs, which cannot be prevented from entering the EU as long as they have not been caught violating the law.
Altogether, Romanian criminality abroad -- especially in Western Europe -- has modest proportions. Romanians are ranked below the first 10 countries of origin for foreign criminals in EU countries. But unfortunately, petty crime is very visible, as is aggressive begging and so on.
In response to a wave of criticism in the French media, the Romanian government vowed to step up measures against human traffickers as well as increase cooperation with police in EU countries.
European Commission meanwhile warned that the current wave of criminality could prompt the EU to reintroduce the visa regime.
Several European Union countries have noted a rise over the past several months in crimes perpetrated on their territory by Romanian nationals. Criminal networks -- including Romany gangs -- that smuggle prostitutes, beggars, and sometimes handicapped children out of Romania have in recent months been active in Spain, Italy, and especially France.
French police recently cracked down on a gang trafficking handicapped Romany children from Romania and forcing the children to beg in French towns. France subsequently expelled 10 ethnic Roma back to Romania for their involvement in trafficking.
Romania, a country of 22 million, is one of Europe''s poorest states, with an average monthly income of some $100. Between the new travel restrictions and growing economic hardship at home, the number of Romanians venturing to the EU has dropped by almost 20 percent this year. However, Romanian officials say measures are easy to meet for well-organized and well-funded criminal gangs, which cannot be prevented from entering the EU as long as they have not been caught violating the law.
Altogether, Romanian criminality abroad -- especially in Western Europe -- has modest proportions. Romanians are ranked below the first 10 countries of origin for foreign criminals in EU countries. But unfortunately, petty crime is very visible, as is aggressive begging and so on.
In response to a wave of criticism in the French media, the Romanian government vowed to step up measures against human traffickers as well as increase cooperation with police in EU countries.
European Commission meanwhile warned that the current wave of criminality could prompt the EU to reintroduce the visa regime.