Germany to force the return of 10,000 Roma refugees to Kosovo

In a response to a parliamentary question raised by the Left Party, the ministry said a deal was due to be signed in coming weeks between Berlin and Pristina stipulating the return of refugees.

More than 14,000 Kosovo refugees are in Germany, of whom 10,000 are of Roma ethnicity.

The interior ministry reportedly pledged to apply for a maximum of 2,500 repatriations annually, and to ensure these were ethnically balanced.

'Not all 14,000 (will be returned) in one go, but in a moderate fashion as agreed with Kosovo,' the spokesman said.

Ulla Jelpke, the Left Party spokeswoman who made the initial parliamentary inquiry, said the decision would predominantly affect Roma refugees.

Jelpke maintained that refugees were still being persecuted in Kosovo, and said joblessness was close to 100 per cent amongst the Roma ethnic group.

"Returning people to Kosovo would be in breach of the human right to dignity", Jelpke said.

"Hell and everyday fight for survival are awaiting them there", she warned.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said Kosovo was still susceptible to ethnic tension and that living conditions were poor, after visiting the region earlier this year. The agency recommended that refugees should be allowed to return on a voluntary basis only.