http://www.tdg.ch/pages/home/tribune_de_geneve/english_corner/news/news_deta il/(contenu)/159039
Geneva gets tough with beggars The city and canton unveil a new policy to discourage people from begging, including a plan starting Friday to uproot encampments of gypsies under bridges. The city and canton of Geneva hardened their stance against beggars Tuesday when officials unveiled a zero tolerance policy. Starting on Friday, public works staff, social workers and police will begin evicting beggars who have been camping beneath bridges spanning the Arve River. Temporary lodgings will be found for those affected for 10 days and starting on Dec.1, beggars found contravening the law will be expelled from the country. The tough measures were announced by Geneva Mayor Patrice Mugny, Laurence Moutinot, cantonal security minister, and Pierre Maudet, city administrative councilor. The new approach follows an influx of beggars, particularly from Romania, where a rotating group of about 100 has installed itself in the city. The foreigners are taking advantage of changes in regulations following Romanias entry into the European Union. These allow Romanians to stay in Switzerland for up to three months at a time without a visa. Moutinot, a socialist member, took pains to say the fight is against begging not against beggars themselves. He spoke of the need for the need for social solidarity, and respect for the dignity of the people affected, many of whom come from impoverished backgrounds. Maudet, in charge of the citys public works, was less charitable. He talked of making life uncomfortable for beggars to reduce the attractiveness of Geneva as a place for them to come. As to the clearing of encampments under bridges, Maudet said it was unacceptable and undignified that anyone should have to spend the winter months in such conditions. Two shelters for civil protection will be used to temporarily house the beggars. One is in Eaux-Vives, a 100-bed facility already used for the homeless, while a second 50-bed facility will open in Carouge for women and children. The beggars will be given 10 days to find a long-term solution for their residency in the canton or face expulsion. Mayor Mugny, a green party member, said this did not mean that women and children would be thrown back on to the streets. But it remains unclear what the alternative will be. The Swiss foreigners law allows authorities can expel from the country non-residents immediately if they cannot prove any means of subsistence and after 90 days if they are tourists. Tribune de Genève © Edipresse Publications SA ---------------------------- Vali "Noble blood is an accident of fortune; noble actions are the chief mark of greatness." (Carlo Goldoni) "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." (Jimi Hendrix) Aboneaza-te la <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ngo_list> ngo_list: o alternativa moderata (un pic) la [ngolist] Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this email?
