Paris, 13 Feb. The Council of Europe today drew Italy’s attention to the need to take action for the protection of Roma and Sinti (the two Roma ethnic groups), through a report by its Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities published on Monday.
The committee, based on data collected during a visit to the European country at the end of 2021, diagnoses that “the rights of minorities are protected and implemented in a very asymmetrical way on the national territory and not all minorities benefit equally rights established in the Convention (for the protection of national minorities)”.
In Italy, twelve “historical linguistic minorities” are officially recognised, with enhanced protection in northeastern regions such as Valle d’Aosta, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige.
Roma ethnic groups do not, however, have recognized minority status in Italy and, “despite various parliamentary initiatives, no legislative framework has been adopted for the protection of Roma, Sinti and Camminanti (another nomadic community)” , indicates the document.
Between 2012 and 2020 they had the National Strategy for the Inclusion of Roma, Sinti and Camminanti, a plan which, although it made some advances, “has not always translated into greater improvements living conditions, social inclusion and access to rights and services in these communities”.
“The living conditions continue to be of concern and have negative consequences on their education, their access to the health system, to work and to other services”, underlines the commission in the text published on Monday.
From the Council of Europe, experts point out that “discrimination is not seen as a priority” in Italy and that the lack of response to the specific challenges” of these communities means that “not all alleged cases of discrimination are reported”.
The committee also underlines its concern at the racist, anti-minority or anti-immigration demonstrations that proliferate on social networks, while specifying that “the level of anti-Gypsyism in society persists at all levels and is insufficiently addressed”. EFE.
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