ERRC v Italy, Collective Complaint 27/2004 (discrimination, housing)
20 June 2004
The European Roma Rights Centre filed a collective complaint against Italy, under the Revised European Social Charter. The ERRC claimed that the housing situation of Roma in Italy amounted to a violation of Article 31 of the Revised European Social Charter (the right to housing). Particularly, the ERRC claimed that Roma were denied their right to housing because of the shortage of and inadequate living conditions in camping sites, the forced evictions of Roma, and the fact that Roma had no access to accommodation other than camping sites. Further, the ERRC claimed that segregationist policies and practices in the field of housing constitute racial discrimination contrary to Article 31 read alone or in conjunction with Article E.
The Committee held that the insufficiency and inadequacy of camping sites constituted a violation of Article 31§1 of the European Social Charter taken together with Article E. Further, it held that forced eviction and other sanctions constitute a violation of Article 31§2 of the European Social Charter taken together with Article E. Finally, it held that the lack of permanent dwellings constitutes a violation of Articles 31§1 and 31§3 of the European Social Charter taken together with Article E.
- Response by the Italian government to ERRC Collective Complaint (unofficial translation into English by the ERRC)
- ERRC response to Italian government comments
- General Recommendation 30, United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ("CERD")
- Admissibility decision by the European Committee of Social Rights
- Decision on the merits by the European Committee of Social Rights
- Resolution on the decision by the Committee of Ministers
- Admissibility decision by the European Committee of Social Rights: CoE Decision
