Begging in Geneva in Times of Crisis: Multi-layered Representations of Beggars, Begging and Cohabitation in the Public Space

9th European Research Conference
Homelessness in Times of Crisis
Warsaw, Friday 19th September 2014
Begging in Geneva in Times of Crisis: Multi-layered Representations of Beggars, Begging and Cohabitation in the Public Space
Annamaria Colombo, Caroline Reynaud, Giada de Coulon
(with the collaboration of Noémie Pala)
University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland
School of Social Work, Fribourg

Introduction
2007: Political debate on the legality of prohibiting begging in Geneva (Switzerland)
2008: Restoring of an anti-begging law
A qualitative study (2013-2014): forbidding begging by law is a strategy for managing the sharing of public space with beggars

Context
Swiss level: From the year 2000 on, introduction cantonal or municipal anti-begging laws.
International level: representations of begging have changed: if begging was more associated with homelessness and laziness in the sixties and seventies, recent legislation seems to distinguish between “simple” begging (tolerated) and organized and/or aggressive begging.

Chronology of the Law
2007
01.01 New Penal Code comes into effect in Geneva
06.06 Public declaration: Begging is no longer prohibited
12.06 Draft Bill: Begging to be repressed
04.09 Draft Bill: Antisocial behaviour
30.11 Bill passed: Begging is once again prohibited

Two Research Objectives
To understand how begging has been constructed as a socio-political problem and whether the law is legitimized or not by political actors
To understand how the persons who beg comprehend the law and how it affects their practices

Two Research Objectives
To understand how begging has been constructed as a socio-political problem and whether the law is legitimized or not by political actors
To understand how the persons who beg comprehend the law and how it affects their practices.

Methodology
Ethnomethodology (Garfinkel 1967)
Sociology of Representations (Jodelet 1989)
Based on Parazelli’s analytical grid (2013), inspired by Karsz’s transdisciplinary approach (2004):
Cognitive
Reference Points Ethical
Political

POPULIST
HUMANIST
LEGALISTIC
Cognitive reference points
Begging practised by foreigners, in particular by Roma, is presented as organised, criminal and causing social insecurity
Process of ostracising and discriminating against Roma, begging as a necessary and legitimate practice
Political problem and “in-draught effect” attracting beggars
Ethical reference points
This particular form of begging (by Roma) is unacceptable
It is unacceptable to stigmatise a community
It is unacceptable to suppress the prohibition against begging
Political
reference points
Proposes prohibition, validated by a rhetoric of insecurity
Against begging being prohibited as this will not solve the problem (pointless, inefficient), begging is not seen as being problematic.
Prohibiting begging is justified by the fact that it has always been prohibited

Representations of “populist” position
“In addition, I think that we should not confuse things: there is begging tourism, which is practised by travellers – all those gypsies who settle in camps just outside our borders, who hold out their hands by day and, by night, brandish the screwdrivers and crowbars they use to rob our homes – and then, there are the real beggars, those who have been moved on as a result of the State Council and City of Geneva action plan, at least from our territory.”
M. Roger Golay (MCG) 30.11.2007, Debate PL 10106A
“(…) these Roma are highly organised and their activities are almost an industry”.
A Commissioner, quoted in the report of the Society and Youth Commission, responsible for studying the M-576 motion

Representations of “humanist” position
“The bilateral negotiations currently underway between Romania and a number of European countries mean that we cannot go on ignoring Roma or refuse to accept them as we would any other citizen of the European Community. Whether we like it or not, their story has become our story.”
Alberto Velasco (S), 13.11.2007 PM 1793.
“With regard to organised begging, which could additionally involve robbery, the exploitation of children or of handicapped people, existing legislation on such criminal matters is adequate to deal with it (…)”.
Mathilde Captyn (Ve), 30.11.2007

POPULIST
HUMANIST
LEGALISTIC
Cognitive reference points
Begging practised by foreigners, in particular by Roma, is presented as organised, criminal and causing social insecurity
Process of ostracising and discriminating against Roma, begging as a necessary and legitimate practice
Political problem and “in- draught effect” attracting beggars
Ethical reference points
This particular form of begging (by Roma) is unacceptable
It is unacceptable to stigmatise a community
It is unacceptable to suppress the prohibition against begging
Political
reference points
Proposes prohibition, validated by a rhetoric of insecurity
Against begging being prohibited as this will not solve the problem (pointless, inefficient), begging is not seen as being problematic.
Prohibiting begging is justified by the fact that it has always been prohibited

Representations of “legalistic” position
“90% of these Roma, who may well be victims of migrant smuggling or of human trafficking, are indeed victims and have not chosen to make a future in Geneva.” Debate M2073, 8.06.2012
“I believe that it is important not to confuse the sadly problematic question of the Roma – the sad problematic of the thousands and thousands of beggars around the world – with this draft bill which seeks to re-establish this regulation.”
Frédéric Hohl (R), 30.11.2007, Debate PL 10106A

Conclusion
How begging has been constructed as a socio- political problem:
Begging itself seems to be considered less problematic than does living with Roma beggars
Roma beggars are often associated with some forms of begging presented as scandalous

Conclusion
Prohibition has been reintroduced because of:
The importance of sending a clear message with regard to the feeling of general insecurity
Significance of public safety concerns
Sending a clear message
“In-draught” effect considered as a threat
Reporting of public space’s increased use by communities known as Roma, who are visible and identifiable

Conclusion
Begging has been associated with dangerous, criminal activity carried out by foreign communities seemingly distant from Council members’ normative references.

Begging in Geneva in Times of Crisis: Multi-layered Representations of Beggars, Begging and Cohabitation in the Public Space

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Begging in Geneva in Times of Crisis: Multi-layered Representations of Beggars, Begging and Cohabitation in the Public Space