Italy told to curb xenophobic attitudes towards migrant workers

UN rights experts:  Violence in Rosarno reveals “deep-rooted problems of racism”

16th January 2010: Two UN human rights experts on migrants and racism have urged the Italian authorities to take all necessary measures to curb the growing xenophobic attitude towards migrant workers, which led to the recent tragic events in the city of Rosarno (Calabria, Southern Italy).

Dozens of people were injured in the three days of clashes that rocked the city of Rosarno. Some 1,200 migrants, most of whom are reportedly from Africa, were moved to migration centres, with authorities moving to deport those found to be in the country illegally.

“Violence, be it perpetrated by Italians or by migrant workers, must be addressed in the most vigorous manner through the rule of law and human rights should always be protected, regardless of immigration status”, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Jorge Bustamante and the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Githu Muigai said in a joint statement.

“The violence which erupted in Rosarno is extremely worrying since it reveals serious and deep-rooted problems of racism against those migrant workers,” they said.

They called on the Italian Government to demonstrate their continued and firm commitment to create a safe and peaceful environment for all. “This includes finding ways to improve the very poor living and working conditions of these migrant workers – part of whom are often trafficked into the country for exploitation purposes – and to implement an immigration policy in full conformity with international human rights standards”.

While welcoming the initial steps taken by the authorities to enquire into the events, Mr. Muigai and Mr. Bustamante stressed that “it is more than ever urgent for the Italian authorities to strengthen their anti-racism activities, provide human rights education, as well as swiftly denounce hate speech and prosecute the racist and violent actions perpetrated by some individuals.”

“Violence cannot and must never be a means to respond to difficulties under any circumstances,” said both UN Special Rapporteurs.