European lawmakers urge Commission to intensify efforts in combating racism and xenophobia.
In the heart of Milan, a tragic hit-and-run incident has sparked a heated debate about the city's handling of Romani encampments and child criminality.
The incident, which claimed the life of 71-year-old Cecilia De Astis, has been described as the result of a chain of illegality, arrogance, and impunity. The driver was one of four underage Romani boys, aged barely ten, who reside in a Romani camp within the city.
Christian Garavaglia, leader of FdI at the Pirellone, has called for institutions to intervene with force to restore legality and security. Matteo Salvini, Vice-Premier and leader of the League, has also demanded the immediate clearance and destruction of the Romani encampment where the boys were found. Simone Orlandi, Milanese secretary of Fratelli d'Italia, has blamed the "Milan Model" of Mayor Sala for the incident and called for the immediate eviction of all unauthorized encampments in the city.
However, the city's response has not been without criticism. Mayor Giuseppe Sala has criticized high-ranking government officials for exploiting the death of Cecilia De Astis. Davide Faraone, vice-president of Italia Viva, has criticized Salvini's response as an "unacceptable vulture act".
The boys involved in the incident are of Bosnian origin and were born in Italy. The police are currently searching the boys' homes, and Romano La Russa, regional security assessor of Lombardy, has questioned the absence of social services in the Romani camps.
This incident has reignited discussions about the long-standing issue of Romani communities in Italy, including Milan, living in informal or unauthorized encampments on the urban outskirts or marginal areas. These settlements have frequently been associated with precarious living conditions, social exclusion, and tensions with local authorities concerned with public order and security.
Incidents involving youth criminality, such as theft or violence, have occasionally been highlighted in media and political discourse, sometimes prompting strong responses by authorities. However, the search results do not provide detailed information specifically on the history of Romani encampments in Milan, Italy, or on actions taken by local authorities in Milan regarding child criminality, unauthorized settlements, and security within Romani communities.
For a comprehensive understanding of these issues, scholarly works, official Milan city or Italian government reports, and rights organizations' publications would be recommended sources. It is crucial to approach these complex issues with a nuanced understanding, recognizing the need for both public safety and the protection of human rights.
- The incident has led to a discussion about the general-news topic of Romani encampments in Milan, with politicians from parties like FdI, League, and Fratelli d'Italia advocating for stricter laws and the clearance of unauthorized encampments.
- The average citizen might struggle to find detailed information about the history of Romani encampments in Milan and actions taken by local authorities regarding child criminality, unauthorized settlements, and security within Romani communities, but scholarly works, official reports, and rights organizations' publications offer a comprehensive understanding of these challenges.