“The situation of Roma and Sinti in Italy remains a matter of serious concern - a shift in focus is needed from coercive measures such as forcible evictions and expulsions to social inclusion, anti-discrimination and combating anti-Gypsyism” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, in his report on the visit to Italy in May 2011 during which he discussed the situation of the Roma minority as well as of migrants from Northern Africa.

The Commissioner is concerned about racist and xenophobic political discourse against Roma and Sinti. Effective measures to counter this phenomenon are needed, including self-regulatory initiatives by political parties and a vigorous implementation of the criminal law provisions against racist offences. He further stresses the need to promote knowledge of Roma history and culture in order to combat anti-Gypsyism, for instance through the dissemination and use of the Council of Europe’s Fact Sheets on Roma History.

 Press release