Minister Emma Bonino opened the first plenary session of the Interministerial Committee on Human Rights today at the foreign ministry in Rome. The committee was reformed in September after having been eliminated by the 2012 spending review. In the words of the head of Italian diplomacy, the CIDU “will make it possible to continue with renewed impetus in efforts toward raising awareness among national agencies of the need to fulfil the pledges we have undertaken at international level”.
The meeting’s agenda included the presentation of CIDU activities and consideration of the principal goals set for 2014, with the particular focus on the national dimension of human rights protection. “The protection of human rights in international contexts”, the minister observed, “cannot proceed without their being reinforced domestically, in compliance with the pledges our country has undertaken” on key issues such as: the introduction of laws against torture; ratification of the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance; reinforcement of the national anti-racial discrimination office (UNAR); drafting of national plans to confront racism and to protect children and adolescents; combating of discrimination, including that against sexual orientation (LGBTI); defence of the Roma and Sinti peoples; prison overcrowding; independence of the judicial system and justice administration; and freedom of expression.
Also discussed was the launch, in October 2014, of the Periodic Universal Review of Italy by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the drafting of the Common Core Document – a document fundamental to the overall constitutional, legislative, civil, political, economic, social and cultural presentation of Italy.
The plenary session also included discussion of the debate by which, within the framework of the Italian EU presidency, the government intends to advance issues such as the integrated management of migration flows, integration, efforts to stamp out discrimination and equal treatment for all.
Finally, prominence was also given to CIDU outreach efforts, particularly with regard to universities, NGOs and young people, which aim to stimulate “discussion of ‘common global assets’ such as a sustainable environment, human rights education, safe cultural heritage”, the minister concluded.
