Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Issues Concluding Observations on Italy

22 July 2005

On November 26, 2004, at its thirty third session, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) made public its concluding observations on Italy. CESCR expressed concern regarding Italy's inadequate address of social and cultural rights as the State party "still considers that some economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to housing, are not justiciable since they entail financial burdens upon the State". CESCR further noted with concern: 

• The excessive length of time taken by the authorities to renew residence permits in the State party which may restrict, inter alia, freedom of movement and access to social services by migrant workers and their families.
• The plight of Roma immigrants living in camps characterized by poor housing, unhygienic sanitary conditions, limited employment prospect and inadequate educational facilities for their children.
• Increasing difficulties faced by disadvantaged and marginalized groups, in particular immigrants and Roma people, in renting or obtaining public housing owing to discrimination.

The Committee recommended, among other measures to address housing, employment and education, that the State party to reconsider its position regarding the justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee pointed out that the State party remains under an obligation to give full effect to the Covenant in its domestic legal order, providing for judicial and other remedies for violations of all economic, social and cultural rights.

The full text of the report is available online HERE. Further information on the situation of Roma in Italy can be found on the ERRC's website at: http://www.errc.org.

(ERRC)