Romanian Ambassador to Finland: “Begging is not acceptable, but it is not a crime either”

Lucian Fatu

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Although the Roma from Romania are the most visible group of panhandlers in the Greater Helsinki Area, the Romanian Ambassador to Finland Lucian Fatu has rarely been seen in public. His position is difficult: his job is to defend the interests of all Romanians but on the other hand also to take care of the public image of Romania.
      “If there was a magic button by pressing of which I could make the whole issue disappear, I would press it. I am not particularly keen on the entire subject.”
     
How do you feel about Romanian citizens begging on the streets of the Finnish capital?
      “Begging is not acceptable, but it is not a crime either. Citizens of the European Union use their right to move from one country to another. Adaptation to local habits and mentality is a different matter altogether. It is disturbing both to me and to the Finns to see beggars in Helsinki.”
     
What have you done about the situation?
      “We assist our citizens in ensuring that their rights are met. If they lack documents or if they need protection, we help. What we cannot do is to provide accommodation, work, or help with long-term problems. We help those in distress, such as the ones who came into Finland after 2007 having been misled into thinking that it is easy to land a job here.”
     
Has this happened often?
      “Several times. There have even been rumours about human trafficking, although these are different individuals from the panhandlers.”
     
Have the panhandlers sought help from you?
      “Only a couple of them. They know that the Embassy does not organise work or accommodation, and hence they do not bother to come here.”
     
Have you been contacted for any other reason regarding the issue?
      “The Romanians living permanently in Finland have been upset. There are around 1,200 individuals of Romanian background living in Finland, and they are afraid that the begging in the streets tarnishes their reputation. Each case should be seen as a separate incident. The entire community should not be labelled because of isolated problems.”
     
But this year there are also hundreds if not a thousand beggars in Finland.
      “Yes, but only 54 individuals sought asylum here, and this is the only official figure. I cannot speculate about the number of beggars, or on how many individuals come here only to panhandle.”
     
In the eastern central district of Kalasatama there is a camp of nearly a hundred individuals. They seem to be a fairly tightly-knit community.
      “That is true. And I want to continue to emphasise that begging is not acceptable.”
     
Have you visited the Kalasatama camp?
      "I have passed by, so I have seen it. I do believe what they write about it in the papers."
     
What has the Romanian government done to help the Roma?
      “The government cannot solve just one group’s problems. The situation of the Roma is constantly improving as the economy develops. The Roma are a large and poor minority group and the best chance to affect things is to do it on the EU level.”
     
Should panhandling be banned?
      “I cannot comment on that.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Vanhanen: Don´t give money to beggars (27.5.2010)
  Helsinki residents no longer so shocked by - or so sympathetic towards - begging in the streets (25.5.2010)
  Ban on begging to be looked into speedily (25.5.2010)

See also:
  Beggars on their knees cause consternation on Helsinki streets (23.10.2007)
  Roma beggars removed from illegal makeshift camp (28.10.2009)
  Amnesty: EU violates human rights of Roma beggars (12.5.2010)
  Finnish Roma and Ministry of Interior knew of influx of Central European beggars in advance (10.1.2008)

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