Migrants are not criminals, reminds Commissioner Hammarberg concluding the visit to Italy

[23/06/08 13:00] Commissioner Hammarberg concluded on Friday 20 a two-day visit to Rome where he met the Minister of Interior, Roberto Maroni, to discuss the policies of the new government on migration and Roma people.

"Criminalising migrants will have negative effects and put stigma on innocent people", said the Commissioner after the meeting with Minister Maroni. Mr. Hammarberg also expressed his concerns about the climate of anti-Ziganism. "It is important that politicians guarantee fundamental rights to Roma people and discourage any tendency of discrimination and scapegoating", he said.

Speaking at the World Refugee Day event organised by UNHCR, the Commissioner further stressed the importance of reception policies based on international human rights standards. "Governments have the right to control their borders, but they should protect, not punish, people fleeing their countries” he said. “Migrants must be welcomed in Europe and their diversity promoted, not discriminated.“

During the visit, Commissioner Hammarberg met Roma and Sinti representatives and went to Casilino 900, a Roma settlement in the Italian capital. He also held meetings with the President of the National Association of Magistrates, the Head of the European Commission Representation to Italy, as well as representatives of international organizations and civil society.

A report will be published in the coming weeks, containing the Commissioner’s main observations and his recommendations to the Italian Government.

See also

Commissioner Hammarberg visits Italy to discuss human rights implications of the new security package (press release, 20/06/08)
UNHCR World Refugee Day