On Tuesday, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) released a report on Italy, triggering strong reactions from the Italian government. The report, published by an independent body of the Council of Europe, not affiliated with the European Union, highlighted concerns about widespread racial profiling within Italian law enforcement, particularly towards the Romani community and people of African descent. Although the report holds no legal weight, its findings have stirred debate.
The report claimed that during ECRI’s visit to Italy, multiple testimonies pointed to racial profiling by police, especially targeting Romani and African-origin individuals. It also noted that Italian authorities appeared unaware of the extent of the issue, failing to recognize racial profiling as a form of institutional racism. ECRI recommended a comprehensive, independent study to address these practices. In response, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other government officials quickly criticized the findings, defending the integrity of Italian law enforcement.
Meloni took to social media, emphasizing the dedication and professionalism of Italy’s police, while Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi called the accusations “unacceptable,” asserting that the role of the ECRI is not widely understood. Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Lega, dismissed the report as an insult, suggesting that if ECRI members favored Romani and undocumented migrants, they should welcome them in Strasbourg, where the Council of Europe is based.
President Sergio Mattarella also intervened, expressing his surprise at the report and reaffirming his support for Italian police. He contacted Police Chief Vittorio Pisani to convey his appreciation for the work of law enforcement. The ECRI, meanwhile, clarified that its findings were based on multiple national and international sources, and similar recommendations had been made to other European nations in the past.
