Italy’s law enforcement agencies engage in racial profiling during monitoring, surveillance, and investigation activities, especially against the Roma community and people of African descent, as highlighted in the latest report by Ecri, the anti-racism and intolerance body of the Council of Europe. Strasbourg points out that “authorities do not seem to be aware of the extent of the problem and have not considered the existence of racial profiling as a potential form of institutional racism,” calling on Italy to conduct a comprehensive and independent study. “During its visit to Italy, Ecri received many testimonies of racial profiling by law enforcement, especially against the Roma community and people of African descent,” the document reads. The study requested from Italian authorities should aim to “identify and address any racial profiling practices by law enforcement.” Strasbourg will evaluate in two years whether the recommendation has been followed.
“Ecri notes with serious concern that Italian public discourse has become increasingly xenophobic in recent years and that political speeches have taken on highly divisive and antagonistic tones, especially towards refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, as well as Italian citizens with migratory backgrounds, Roma, and LGBTI people,” the report continues. “Unfortunately – as stated in the document – a number of remarks and comments considered derogatory and hateful come from high-profile politicians and public officials, especially during election periods.” In response, Ecri recommends “that public figures, including high-ranking officials and politicians of all parties, be strongly encouraged to take a timely, firm, and public stand against the expression of racist and LGBTI-phobic hate speech and to react with alternative discourses, as well as to promote understanding among communities, including expressing solidarity with those targeted by hate speech.” Ecri also believes that “parties should adopt appropriate codes of conduct that prohibit the use of hate speech, instruct their members and followers to refrain from uttering, endorsing, or spreading them, and provide sanctions otherwise.”
Giorgia Meloni’s Response: “Ecri, an organ of the Council of Europe, accuses Italian police of racism? Our law enforcement – the premier wrote on social media – is made up of men and women who, every day, work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all citizens, without distinctions. They deserve respect, not such insults.”
“President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella called the Chief of Police, Prefect Vittorio Pisani, expressing surprise at the statements contained in the report by the Council of Europe’s Commission against racism and intolerance and reaffirming his esteem and support for the Police forces.” This was reported at the Quirinale.
“The Council of Europe, whose purpose should be to promote democracy, human rights, European cultural identity, and finding solutions to social problems in European countries, finds the time to express a strong judgment against Italian Police Forces, even accusing them of racism. It is unacceptable for an international organization – not all of whom have yet fully understood their role – to insult women and men who risk their lives every day with dedication to ensure citizens’ safety.” This is how Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi expressed his dismay.
“Women and men in uniform shamefully attacked by Ecri (European Commission against racism and intolerance), a useless organization paid for with Italian citizens’ taxes. As the League, we will propose saving this money to allocate it to Healthcare, instead of tarnishing our law enforcement.” This was stated on social media by Deputy Premier and League leader Matteo Salvini, summarizing the Council of Europe’s anti-racism and intolerance report: “Italian police are racist against the Roma community and people of African descent.” “If these gentlemen like Roma and illegal immigrants so much, they should take them all to their homes in Strasbourg,” Salvini concluded.
In the final text of the emergency decree on safe countries for repatriation, approved yesterday by the Council of Ministers, as reported by ANSA from various sources, there could also be a provision to include appeals to the Court of Appeal against the Tribunal’s orders on holding migrants in repatriation centers, which can currently be appealed in the Supreme Court. The text of the measure should be sent to the Quirinale today. And, according to reports, it could also contain this legislative novelty, which had been considered in drafting the decree and until a few hours ago, seemed to have been set aside.
The Council of Europe: ‘Regret over the denial of citizenship to foreign children’
The European Commission against racism and intolerance “regrets” that authorities have not introduced legislative changes that would have facilitated the acquisition of Italian citizenship for foreign minors born or raised in Italy, as envisaged when Italy was last evaluated in 2016.
In the document, Ecri highlights that “controversies remain related to the situation of children of foreign parents born or raised in Italy,” indicating that “Italian legislation does not provide easy access to citizenship for immigrants who entered the country in childhood and were educated in Italy, while children born in Italy can only apply for citizenship after turning 18, provided they can prove uninterrupted residence since birth.” However, Ecri adds that the application must be submitted within a year of reaching the legal age, and according to information gathered by the Council of Europe body, many eligible individuals are unaware of this possibility. Ecri therefore “encourages authorities to review the legal framework and administrative practices related to the acquisition of Italian citizenship and to ratify the European Convention on Nationality.”
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