Amnesty International filed a complaint before European Committee of Social Rights in response to the ongoing scandal of the housing situation of Roma in Italy, Amnesty International filed a complaint on 18 March 2019 with the European Committee of Social Rights. The complaint is the first ever to be filed by Amnesty International under the Committee’s collective complaints procedure. Drawing on years of research by the organisation, especially in the cities of Rome, Milan and Naples, the complaint presents comprehensive evidence alleging how the housing situation of Romani communities in Italy amounts to a series of breaches of the European Social Charter, which is binding upon Italy. These include widespread forced evictions; the continued use of segregated camps featuring substandard housing and lack of equal access to social housing.
The complaint brings together years of documenting systemic and widespread violations of the Charter and other international and regional treaties which are binding on Italy. It demonstrates that despite initiatives such as the national integration strategy adopted in 2012, the reality for the Roma remains one of discrimination and social exclusion. “The evidence we are presenting to the Committee shows that sadly this is not just a longstanding issue, but one that the authorities refuse to address, despite their obligations under international law".
The Public Statement can be found here.
