A/HRC/7/19
page 8
19. In the context of follow-up to the Special Rapporteur’s visit to Italy,4 he expresses his
concern at the adoption, on 28 December 2007, of a legislative decree allowing the deportation
of adult citizens of European Union (EU) States who have been resident in Italy for less than
10 years and who “violate human dignity, fundamental human rights or public security”.
Adopted following the murder of an Italian woman, with which a Romanian member of the
Roma community has been charged, this decree would appear to target the Romanian
community in particular. Recalling that any deportation must be individually substantiated and
appealable in a court, the Special Rapporteur also wishes to underline the importance of action to
combat the exploitation, by certain media and political parties, of the fear caused by migratory
pressure and the identity crisis facing Italian society as a consequence of the process of ethnic
and religious multiculturalization. He also wishes to recall the extreme vulnerability and
marginalization of the Roma community in Italy. The adoption of measures to punish an entire
community in response to an offence committed by one of its members is a worrying example of
racism and xenophobia which runs counter to the political will and positive initiatives aimed at
combating these scourges highlighted by the Special Rapporteur in his mission report.
20. The Special Rapporteur particularly welcomes the action, initiated in December 2006 by
the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in Italy, in conjunction with representatives
of the National Association of Journalists and the Italian Journalists’ Union, to develop a code of
ethics for the media. This initiative, which is fully in keeping with the spirit and letter of one of
the main recommendations of the Special Rapporteur’s above-mentioned mission report,
specifically concerns the treatment of information relating to immigration and asylum.
21. In a context characterized by a disturbing increase in xenophobia and manifestations of
racism, the Special Rapporteur wishes to recall certain recommendations made in his mission
report, including: the adoption of a law on citizenship; reform of the so-called Bossi-Fini Act
regulating immigration on the basis of a security-oriented approach, which has led to the
criminalization of migrants; adoption of comprehensive legislation and an overall policy on
asylum; adoption of a bilateral agreement (known as an intese) between the State and the Muslim
community; and recognition of the Roma and Sinti communities as national minorities.
22. In the context of his visit to Japan,5 the Special Rapporteur considers that the initiation of a
dialogue between Japanese, Korean and Chinese historians is particularly significant. This
initiative is in keeping with one of the main recommendations of his mission report, which
encourages the joint drafting, under UNESCO auspices, of a regional history in order to resolve
the historical dispute between Japan and its neighbours, in particular China and the Republic of
Korea. This joint undertaking to produce a history forms part of the intellectual and cultural
strategy that the Special Rapporteur recommends in order to strengthen the political and legal
strategy to eradicate the root causes of racist and xenophobic attitudes and cultures.
4
A/HRC/4/19/Add.4.
5
E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.2.