Dictionary of Discrimination
26 March 2013
The key definitions for Italy’s State of Emergency.
T.A.R. (Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale): regional administrative court (local level. in this case, in Lazio – Latium).
Council of State: Italy’s highest administrative court (national level).
Court of Cassation: Italy’s highest court.
Decree declaring a State of Emergency: government act to tackle an extraordinary situation which requires the disposal of extraordinary measures in a prompt manner.
Nomad: Italian government’s terminology to describe Roma, Sinti and Caminanti, even though the vast majority of members of these groups in Italy are sedentary.
Special Commissioner: Prefects (local government officiasl) with extraordinary powers for the implementation of all the steps needed to deal with the state of emergency.
Formal camps: also called “equipped village” or “villages of solidarity”; camps authorised by municipalities which provide some services such as water, electricity, rubbish collection, social projects, school buses, etc.
Semiformal camps: spontaneous settlements subsequently recognised by municipalities, or formal camps “downgraded” and for this reason destined to be evicted. In the latter case, a municipality shalts any work to improve the camp because it will be closed. Only basic services are provided by municipalities: rubbish collection, water, electricity.
Informal camps: spontaneous settlements. Generally they are characterised by extreme marginalisation, usually located in the suburbs, close to illegal dumping sites, truck parks, busy roads and industrial areas with a high rate of environmental pollution. No services are provided by municipalities. They are under constant threat of eviction.