According to a report to the parliament, racism is on the rise in Italy and Eastern Europeans immigrants are hit hardest.
Rome, March 8 – Racism is on the rise in Italy, especially in the media and on the Internet, said a report by the National Office against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) presented to Parliament on Thursday.
One out of four victims of racially-motivated discrimination in Italy comes from Eastern European countries and the Balkans, the report said. North Africans are the targets of 16.6% of discriminatory acts and Latin Americans 13.8%, it said.
In February, a Council of Europe report on racism and xenophobia said that the situation in Italy has worsened over the last five years and criticised the country for fostering a climate of “intolerance,” especially regarding Roma (Gypsies), immigrants and Muslims.
Italian soccer has also been dogged by racism in recent years.
On Monday, Lazio were fined 20,000 euros by Serie A’s sporting judge after their fans directed racist abuse at Brazilian defender Juan during Sunday’s derby in the capital.
Source: Ansa
