UK: Deportation filmed to show enforcement is working
01 August 2002
The UK government, one week after Home Secretary Blunkett admitted that the target of 30,000 deportations per month had not been met as it was "too ambitious", invited national camera teams and journalists to broadcast the deportation of 48 undocumented migrants, from the Czech Republic - who were identified by one newspaper as Roma, 12 children amongst them, as they stepped into the plane. A spokeswoman from Human Rights Watch said that "to expose people in this way without their consent is appalling"; "macabre" and "indefensible" others commented. Human rights organisations have consistently warned against Roma persecution in the Czech Republic as police brutality and racist attacks places Roma communities under risk for life and limb. The move is in line with Blunkett's opportunistic scapegoating of migrants urging them to speak English at home and blaming ethnic communities for their "failed integration". Guardian 21.9.02, The Times 21.9.02.