THOUSANDS OF ROMANIAN CHILDREN BEGGING IN FRANCE

From Jurnalul National Friday, January 27, 2006

Author: Ana Ilie

THOUSANDS OF ROMANIAN CHILDREN BEGGING IN FRANCE

Thousands of children who have fled from poverty, or are victims of human trafficking, or are simply forced by their parents to beg, have covered western European states. According to U.N. statistics, the number of these children are more than 50,000. The number is not known precisely because the children are sometimes transported from one country to another by clandestine child traffickers.

It seems that the situation in France is very serious according to estimates made by the inspector general for social problems. He said that more than 5,000 minors enter French territory every year. In first place are those from Romania, followed by Chinese, Moroccans, Albanians and Congolese.

According to the report of the inspector general, the phenomenon of illegal children who beg on the streets of France began in the early 90's and has been an on going problem since.

In only one area of France, Bouches-du-Rhone, "It is estimated that between 200 and 300 foreign children arrive every year. In addition to these, there are another 80 to 90 Gypsy children accompanied by their parents who come to this area from Romania."