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discrimination, be it on the ground of race, ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, sexual
orientation or gender identity. The reports handled by the Office in recent years
confirm that most data relating to discrimination shows discrimination based on
ethno-racial grounds, followed by religious and sexual orientation and gender identity
grounds. The Government of Italy reported that racism and racial discrimination can
mainly affect migrants, refugees and specifically stigmatized national communities
or ethnic groups, such as Roma.
20. In order to prevent and tackle discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin,
the National Office Against Racial Discrimination reportedly intervenes in different
areas and with several awareness-raising and capacity-building tools, pursuing more
equal access to employment, occupation guidance and vocational training, social
protection, health care, social benefits, education, goods and services. Moreover, it
pairs awareness-raising measures with judicial protection of victims by civil actions
against discrimination.
21. Italy stated that a recent and worrying trend concerns the development of cyberracism, a growing phenomenon that quickly disseminates hate speech and racist
ideologies. In recent years, the National Office Against Racial Discrimination has
registered an increase in complaints about racial hatred against migrants and ethnic
minorities on the Internet. Cyber-racism is disseminated through videos, photos,
blogs and on-line written comments. Additionally, racist comments, photos and
videos can be found on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and
Telegram. On social networks, it is difficult to verify corporate responsibilities and
act against content producers; therefore, the National Office has monitored web
activity and developed cooperation with postal police and social network providers.
22. Italy described its legal and policy framework aimed at addressing and tackling
racism and any form of discrimination, including the Department for Equal
Opportunities at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which is responsible for
providing guidance to support equal opportunities and treatment and preventing and
eliminating all forms of discrimination, gender violence and exploitation. The
Department is also in charge of the promotion and coordination of legislative actions
concerning the elaboration and implementation of gender and anti-discrimination
policies, the acquisition and analysis of data and information about gender equality
and equal opportunities and the tackling of any form of discrimination, with particular
reference to racial and ethnic discrimination, particularly with respect to employment
and occupation.
23. According to its submission, the National Office Against Racial Discrimination
is also strongly engaged in promoting the integration of Roma communities.
Discrimination against Roma people is one of the most important challenges that Italy
must tackle in order to guarantee equal opportunities and non -discrimination to the
most vulnerable. The fight against racism against Roma and the improvement of their
role in social and economic development is supported by concrete measures and tools
included in the national Roma integration strategy 2012–2020 and will be developed
further in the next strategy, for 2021–2030. The aims, objectives and outcomes of
these strategies can be considered a concrete institutional answ er for “Romaphobia”,
fostering Roma inclusion and fighting any discrimination against this ethnic group.
24. Italy reports that, in order to prevent and tackle religious discrimination,
particularly antisemitism, the National Office Against Racial Discrimination has been
participating in marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the
Victims of the Holocaust. In addition, the Technical Working Group for the
Recognition of the Definition of Antisemitism approved by the International
Holocaust Remembrance Alliance was established by Prime Ministerial Decree of
16 June 2020, with the participation of institutional representatives, several ministries
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