Italian Authorities Urged to Investigate Destruction of Roma Camp

15 December 2011

Turin, Budapest, 15 December 2011: The European Roma Rights Centre, the Federazione Romanì and the Idea Rom Onlus sent a letter of concern today calling on Italian authorities to investigate violent incidents that destroyed a Roma camp in Turin last weekend.
 
Hundreds of people marched to the informal Roma camp at Via Continassa, and started setting fire to shacks, caravans and cars. The attack was apparently sparked by a rape allegation against two Romani men. The individual who made the accusation later reportedly retracted her accusation. The whole camp was destroyed, including the homes and property of the 46 Romani individuals living there. Eyewitnesses also reported that a flyer was posted before the attack, calling on residents to ‘clean up’ the area of Roma. Local media and eyewitnesses confirmed that a public official, the president of the fifth district, was present at a demonstration that preceded the violence.

The incident is part of an ongoing pattern of attacks against Roma in Italy, exacerbated by a culture of impunity for hate speech by public officials. Violent actions against Roma may be fuelled and legitimised by the increasingly hostile and biased language adopted by local politicians and the mass media. The ongoing precarious housing situation for Roma is also a matter of concern, as camps are vulnerable to attack.

The ERRC, the Federazione Romanì and the Idea Rom Onlus are calling on Italian police and prosecutors to investigate all crimes committed, promptly and impartially, and to ensure that racial motivation is considered.

The full text of the letter is available in English and Italian.

For further information, contact:

Sinan Gokçen
ERRC Media and Communications Officer
sinan.gokcen@errc.org
+36.30.500.1324