The Council of Europe: “Racism by the police in Italy”. Meloni blurts out: “The police deserve respect and not insults”

John

By John

In Italy, law enforcement forces carry out racial profiling during control, surveillance and investigation activities, especially against the Roma community and people of African origin. This was denounced by Ecri, the anti-racism and intolerance body of the Council of Europe, in its latest report dedicated to Italy, updated in April 2024. Strasbourg highlights that «the authorities do not seem to be aware of the extent of the problem and do not they considered the existence of racial profiling as a form of potential institutional racism”, therefore asking Italy for a complete and independent study.

“Increasingly xenophobic policy”

«Ecri notes with serious concern that Italian public discourse has become increasingly xenophobic in recent years and that political discourses have taken on highly divisive and antagonistic tones, in particular towards refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, as well as Italian citizens with migratory backgrounds, Roma and LGBTI people”. This is what the anti-racism and intolerance body of the Council of Europe indicates in its report on Italy updated in April. “Unfortunately – we read in the document -, a certain number of statements and comments considered derogatory and full of hatred come from high-profile politicians and public officials, especially during election periods.” A situation in which ECRI recommends «that public figures, including high-level officials and politicians from all sides, be strongly encouraged to take a timely, firm and public position against the expression of racist hate speech and LGBTI-phobic people and to react with alternative discourses, as well as to promote understanding between communities, including by expressing solidarity with those who are the targets of hate speech”. ECRI also believes that «parties should adopt appropriate codes of conduct that prohibit the use of hate speech, invite their members and followers to refrain from uttering, supporting or spreading it and provide sanctions if they do not».

“Undue criticism of judges on migrants”

The Commission against racism and intolerance of the Council of Europe (Ecri), in its report on Italy, denounced «undue criticism that aims to undermine the authority of individual judges who decide on migration cases» among the examples of negatives concerning the public and political discourse which “promotes a culture of the exclusion of migrants rather than their inclusion”. According to the Council of Europe body, such criticisms “undermine the independence of the judiciary that deals with these cases”, which must instead be “respected, protected and promoted”.

The Prime Minister replies to the Council of Europe

«Does the Ecri, body of the Council of Europe, accuse the Italian police forces of racism? Our police forces are made up of men and women who, every day, work with dedication and self-sacrifice to guarantee the safety of all citizens, without distinction. They deserve respect, not such insults.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated this on social media, commenting on the report dedicated to Italy by the anti-racism and intolerance body of the Council of Europe.