Viviane Reding

Main article: French Roma repatriation

After the leak of a French Interior Ministry circular of 5 August 2010, Reding made a public statement that was interpreted as likening the 2010 French deportations of the Roma to those made from France by the occupying German forces during World War II: "I personally have been appalled by a situation which gave the impression that people are being removed from a Member State of the European Union just because they belong to a certain ethnic minority. This is a situation I had thought Europe would not have to witness again after the Second World War". ^[70]

For a while, the French government's claim that it was expelling people on legal rather than ethnic grounds was claimed to be "openly contradicted by an administrative circular issue by the same government" mentioning the illegal Romani camps specifically ("en priorité ceux des Roms"). ^[71] This mention could be explained by the fact that Romani account for the overwhelming majority of foreign migrants setting up camps in France, and that "most Roma from the two countries [Bulgaria and Romania] are thought to be in France illegally". ^[72] The then French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated that his government had been unaware of the directive in question signed by Mr Michel Bart, the Chief of Staff of the French Minister of the Interior, ^[73] and that the directive had been cancelled as soon as the government became aware of it through press reports. He stated that France continues to welcome refugees and that "we refuse the creation of slums... that are unworthy of French Republic or European ideals." President Sarkozy also stated that 80% of people removed from the camps during August 2010 were of French "gens du voyage", i.e. most of the campers thus removed were not foreign citizens or Roma; and that all removals were done based on judicial decisions, i.e. they were not unilateral police operations as would be based on a circular directive. ^[74]

The French government further stated that Reding had made an "unseemly blunder" and defended France as "the mother of human rights." Mr Sarkozy denounced Reding's comments as "scandalous" and stated that "if Luxembourg wants to take in Roma, that is no problem" as far as France is concerned. ^[75] This statement was based on Luxembourg's own rejection of migrants, yet Luxembourg's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean Asselborn, deemed it "malevolent". ^[76] President Sarkozy pointed out that Mrs Reding had been silent during larger-scale expulsions by other countries in earlier years, including by Italy specifically of its Roma during 2009 and when police reject Romani travellers trying to enter Luxembourg. French Immigration Minister Eric Besson said that in her statement Reding "intentionally skids, if I may say, that is she uses an expression aimed to shock, that contains an anachronistic fallacy, and that creates a false amalgam". ^[75]

While some media coverage and opinion leaders supported her actions, others called for her immediate resignation. ^{[77] [78]}

Following her initial statement, and intense discussions in the European Council and in the European Parliament, Mrs Reding announced that the European Commission intended to sue France at the European Court of Justice within two weeks. At the instigation of Mrs Reding, the European Commission later set up a Roma task force to analyse to what extent measures were being effectively taken to help the social and economic integration of Roma in Europe. ^[79] Mrs Reding subsequently privately recanted the historical comparison in her initial statement. ^[80] Her office apologised for the analogy. ^[81] The European Commission subsequently declined to follow up on the earlier threat to sue France at the European Court of Justice, or to take other legal action on the Roma matter against France. ^[82]

Subsequently, the EU said it would seek to compel European Union countries to amend their national rules to the requirements of the European Union's free movement laws, but in so doing did not deny the lawfulness of the French actions. ^[83] Zoni Weisz, a Roma activist and Holocaust deportation escapee who addressed the German Bundestag's Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony on 27 January 2011, praised Mrs Reding's 'clear words' in denouncing Roma expulsions. ^[84] Hungarian MEP Lívia Járóka, the sole European Parliament member to have partly Roma heritage, described the root problem as "the failure of Roma integration in most member states in the last 20 years". ^[85]

As a result of the action taken by Reding in the defence of the rights of citizens, national governments of the Member States of the European Union were obliged to put in place national strategies and concrete plans for the integration of Romani people and to report on their implementation annually. ^[86]

In August 2012, Reding put the action of the French socialist government of Jean-Marc Ayrault and his Minister of the Interior Manuel Valls under surveillance responding to alleged expulsions of Roma people. ^[87] The call resulted in a shift of policy by the French government confirmed in a Ministerial executive order ^[88] signed by nine French Ministers and placing the focus of the action on the integration of the Roma as called for by the European Commission.

Other activities

• Agfa-Gevaert, Member of the Supervisory Board
• Bertelsmann Stiftung, Member of the Board of Trustees ^[89]
• Global Economic Symposium, Member of the Advisory Board
• Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP), Member of the Advisory Board
• UEFA Foundation for Children, Member of the Board of Trustees
• European Movement International, Member of the Honorary Council ^[90]
• European Horizons, Advisor

There are several reports about Reding taking up jobs which are revolving door issues. Corporate Europa Revolvingdoorwatch

Recognition

Reding has been awarded the following prizes and distinctions:

• 1992 – Creu de Sant Jordi (St George's Cross) from the Generalitat of Catalonia
• 2001 – Gold Medal of the European Merit Foundation
• 2004 – Doctorate Honoris Causa from the Fu Jen Catholic University of Taiwan
• 2004 – Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Genoa
• 2004 – Robert Schuman Medal
• 2004 – Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Turin
• 2005 – Gloria Artis Medal of Poland
• 2005 – Officer of the National Order French Legion of Honour
• 2007 – Internet villain award at the UK Internet Service Providers Association Awards
• 2007 – Deutscher Mittelstandspreis
• 2009 – Doctorate Honoris Causa from the Sacred Heart University Luxembourg
• 2010 – BeNeLux Europa award
• 2012 – Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Glasgow
• 2022 – The Grand Medal of Diplomacy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ^[91]

In 2012, the US-based magazine Foreign Policy ^[92] ranked Viviane Reding at number 97 ^[93] in its list of top 100 Global Thinkers ^[94] recognizing her leadership in promoting the economic benefits of the role of women in top management and in the boards of companies.

Personal life

Reding is divorced and has three children.

Notes

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18. (Press Release) EU rules to ease cross-border successions are now law. Europa (web portal).
19. (Press Release) Victims' rights: EU Justice Commissioner Reding welcomes double vote of support from European Parliamentarians. Europa (web portal).
20. (Press Release) New EU rules on consumer rights to enter into force. Europa (web portal).
21. (Press Release) European Commission to help businesses recover an extra €600 million in cross-border debts. Europa (web portal).
22. "Justice and fundamental rights". European Commission – European Commission.
23. "CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION". europa.eu. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
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26. President José Manuel Barroso – Women's Charter: Barroso's commitment to gender equality. European Commission.
27. EN. (PDF).
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29. (Press Release) European Commission weighs options to break the ‛glass ceiling’ for women on company boards Archived 20 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine . Europa (web portal).
30. (Press Release) Women on Boards: Vice-President Viviane Reding meets with leaders of Europe's business schools and industry. Europa (web portal).
31. Women in business: Waving a big stick. The Economist (10 March 2012).
32. Castle, Stephen (17 September 2012). "European Plan to Put More Women on Boards Runs into Opposition". The New York Times.
33. (Press Release) Women on Boards: Commission proposes 40% objective. Europa (web portal).
34. Women on Boards: EPP Group welcomes Commission proposal. – 14/11/2012 – EPP Group. Eppgroup.eu (14 November 2012).
35. ""More women at the top in European companies good for the economy" say S&D Euro MPs". Archived from the original on 13 February 2013.
36. Press Release. Alde.eu (14 November 2012).
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38. European Commission and Council of Europe kick off joint talks on EU's accession to the Convention on Human Rights, hrea.org.
39. Viviane Reding agressée, Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace (in French).
40. "EU criticizes role of US credit rating agencies". Deutsche Welle. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
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43. David Cameron plan to opt out of EU policing laws 'will allow criminals to run free'. The Daily Telegraph.
44. David Cameron warned over 'crazy' plan to opt out of EU law – Politics – News – London Evening Standard. Standard.co.uk (29 December 2012).
45. (Press Release) Court of Justice rules Hungarian forced early retirement of judges incompatible with EU law. Europa (web portal).
46. (Press Release) Hungary and the Rule of Law – Statement of the European Commission in the Plenary Debate of the European Parliament. Europa (web portal).
47. LARA JAKES The Associated Press (1 July 2013). "EU official: 'Partners do not spy on each other' – Portland Press Herald". Pressherald.com. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
48. Published on Monday, 1 July 2013 at 08:27 (1 July 2013). "Luxemburger Wort – "Partners do not spy on each other!" says Viviane Reding". Wort.lu. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
49. "European Commission – PRESS RELEASES – Press release – Speech: Main Messages: Citizens' Dialogue in Sofia". Europa.eu. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
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53. "KUNA – Barroso announces caretaker replacements following resignation of 4 EU Commissioners". Kuna.net.kw. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
54. Viviane Reding: Europe Needs Democratic Rejuvenation – WSJ.com. The Wall Street Journal. (8 February 2012).
55. Vice-President Viviane RedingTowards a United States of Europe – Towards a United States of Europe. Ec.europa.eu (27 October 2010).
56. Auswärtiges Amt – Federal Foreign Office – Time for a debate on Europe’s future. Auswaertiges-amt.de (20 June 2012).
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60. (Press Release) Why we need a United States of Europe now. Europa (web portal).
61. Why we now need a United States of Europe. Wort.lu.
62. Interview mit EU-Justizkommissarin: Reding denkt an Vereinigte Staaten von Europa. Rp-online.de.
63. "A blueprint for a deep and genuine economic and monetary union Launching a European Debate" (PDF). 30 November 2012.
64. Debate on the future of Europe – European Commission. European Commission.
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66. Dave Keating (1 July 2014), European Parliament elects vice-presidents European Voice .
67. Simon Taylor (7 July 2014), Reding to miss out on chair of legal affairs committee European Voice .
68. Members European Parliament Intergroup on Long Term Investment and Reindustrialisation.
69. Members European Parliament Intergroup on the Digital Agenda.
70. "EU threatens France with legal action over Roma 'disgrace'". Eubusiness.com. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
71. "Le ministère de l'intérieur, de l'outre mer et des collectivités territoriales" (PDF). softdom.com. 5 August 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 October 2010.
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73. à 07h00, Par Le 14 septembre 2010 (14 September 2010). "Michel Bart, de Chevènement à Hortefeux". leparisien.fr.
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75. "Roms : l'Élysée fustige les critiques de Bruxelles". Le Figaro. France. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
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77. "Holocaust survivor denounces Roma expulsions". publico.pt. Archived from the original on 1 February 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
78. Moore, Michael Scott (15 September 2010). "France Has Acted Systematically against an Entire People". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
79. "Roma Task Force". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011.
80. "Viviane Reding, la dame en rouge qui défie la France". Le Figaro. France. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
81. Castle, Stephen; Bennhold, Katrin (16 September 2010). "Dispute Grows Over France's Removal of Roma Camps". The New York Times.
82. "Roms : aucun procédure ne sera lancée contre Paris". Le Figaro. France. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
83. "EU General Activity Report 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2012.
84. "Holocaust survivor denounces Roma expulsions". publico.pt. Archived from the original on 1 February 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011. "Holocaust survivor denounces Roma expulsions" . Retrieved 18 June 2011.
85. Lívia Járóka. European Parliament.
86. "Press corner". European Commission – European Commission.
87. L’intégration des Roms mise à l’épreuve. Libération (15 August 2012).
88. Roms : une circulaire de compromis. Libération (29 August 2012).
89. "Neu im Stiftungskuratorium". Neue Westfälische (in German). 14 November 2014. p. 6.
90. Honorary Council European Movement International.
91. "外交部長吳釗燮頒贈「特種外交獎章」予歐盟執委會前副主席、歐洲議會友台小組榮譽主席、盧森堡前國會議員蕾汀，表彰她長期推動台歐關係的卓越貢獻". 21 January 2022.
92. the global magazine of economics, politics, and ideas. Foreign Policy (26 December 2012).
93. "Top 100 Global Thinkers": Viviane Reding auf Platz 97. Wort.lu (26 November 2012).
94. The FP Top 100 Global Thinkers. Foreign Policy.

External links

• Official Media Gallery
• Official website

Viviane Reding
Official portrait, 2014
Member of the European Parliament
In office 1 July 2014 –1 September 2018

Political offices
Preceded by Jacques Santer	Luxembourgish European Commissioner 1999–2014	Succeeded by Martine Reicherts
Preceded by Marcelino Oreja as European Commissioner for Culture	European Commissioner for Education and Culture 1999–2004 Served alongside: Dalia Grybauskaitė	Succeeded by Ján Figeľ as European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism
Preceded by Ján Figeľ Olli Rehn as European Commissioner for Enterprise and Information Society	European Commissioner for Information Society and Media 2004–2010	Succeeded by Neelie Kroes as European Commissioner for Digital Agenda
Preceded by Jacques Barrot as European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security	European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship 2010–2014	Succeeded by Johannes Hahn Acting