DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CZECH ROMA

Early day motion 369, tabled 9 December 2004 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House welcomes the decision of the House of Lords to confirm that the actions of the Home Office in carrying out pre-clearance screening of potential asylum seekers among passengers attempting to board flights at Prague Airport in July 2001 was unlawful and constituted a practice that was inherently and systematically discriminatory against members of the Czech Roma, a community with a long history of suffering and persecution; congratulates the human rights organisation, Liberty, for championing the cause of the six un-named Roma denied entry to the UK; and urges the Government to apologise to the victims and to reassure them of its abhorrence of all forms of racial discrimination against Gypsy and Roma peoples wherever it may occur.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Liberal Democrat 10, Scottish National Party 5, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.