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The EU enlargement in 2004 and 2007 brought a number of relatively poor member states. Their situation was negatively affected by the economic world crisis which started in 2008. The citizens who were most severely hit were the minorities who had traditionally been discriminated in Europe. Poor representatives of the majority populations went abroad as guest workers to secure a minimum standard of living for their families. Roma migrants could not find jobs, but had to resort to begging in the streets. When Swedes, unaccustomed to beggars, found EU migrants begging all over the country, a public discussion started around the question about where the responsibility lies for ameliorating the situation of the Roma people. The answer is certainly not uncomplicated: In a shorter perspective, recipient countries, like Sweden, have a moral and political responsibility. In a longer perspective it is obvious that home countries have a responsibility for the welfare of their citizens. In a broader perspective it is an all-Euroepan responsibility to live up to commitments concerning Human Rights and decent policies concening minorities.

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