
Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
A woman from the Roma community stands at the entrance of a shack on Thursday, August 23, in a camp in Evry, outside Paris. With criticism of their treatment of the Roma mounting, French ministers met for emergency talks on the handling of an estimated 15,000 Roma living in camps across France and proposed to lift restrictions on migrants from Bulgaria and Romania working in France.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
Fearing that he will be expelled, a man from the Roma community carries his personal belongings with him.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
Roma take part in a demonstration Wednesday, August 22, in front of City Hall in Roubaix, northern France.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
Women take part in a demonstration with Roma families in front of City Hall in Roubaix.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
A child holds a placard during a demonstration in support of the Roma people.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
A woman from the Roma community at the entrance of a shack in a camp in Evry.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
Roma sit on the edges of a demonstration.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
A woman from the Roma community sits in front of a shack.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
A woman from the Roma community carries a child in a camp in Evry.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
A Roma woman and her children beg at the Place de la Bastille in Paris on Wednesday, August 22.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
Roma men while away the hours at the Place de la Bastille in Paris.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
A man from the Roma community carries a child in a camp.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, center left, heads a meeting with ministers and members of the Romeurope National Collective of Human Rights for emergency talks on the handling of an estimated 15,000 Roma living in camps across France on Wednesday, August 22, at the Matignon Hotel in Paris.

Roma in Europe: Persecuted and misunderstood —
Malik Salemkour, vice president of France's Human Rights League, answers questions after a meeting with ministers.