(ANSA) - GENEVA - Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, has expressed great concern over the forced expulsions of Roma and nomadic peoples in several European countries, and especially over the recent evictions in France and Bulgaria. In France ''it is becoming increasingly evident that there is a national policy of systematic expulsion of Roma by force'', Zeid underlined in a press release issued today in Geneva.

Forced evictions of Roma and other nomadic peoples have continued in recent years in several European countries, including Italy, but also in Albania, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and the UK, the UN says.

In Bulgaria, on September 7, the local authorities have proceeded with the expulsions of Roma in the Kremikovtzi camp (Gurmen) and, according to civil society sources, no alternative accommodation was offered. A total of 41 people, including 21 children, would be homeless, the UN reported.(ANSA).