Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 20th Session
Universal Periodic Review of Italy
27 October 2014
Australia commends Italy for its response to the challenges posed by increased flows of irregular migration since the last Universal Periodic Review.
Australia commends Italy’s efforts to protect migrants in the Mediterranean through its naval search and rescue operation, Mare Nostrum. Australia also commends Italy’s Ministry of Equal Opportunity for strengthening protection programs for migrant women, including protection from harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation.
Australia recognises Italy’s efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Australia recommends that Italy expand efforts to combat human trafficking and account for other forms of trafficking, such as labour exploitation and forced begging.
While Italy affords strong protections from arbitrary arrest and detention, the slow pace of the judicial process and prison overcrowding dilute the rights to a fair trial, and those of prisoners and detainees. Australia recommends that Italy take measures to enhance the efficiency of the judicial system and reduce overcrowding in prisons.
Australia notes Italy’s ratification of the Convention against Torture. Australia recommends that Italy implement effective domestic measures to ensure all acts of torture are offences under its criminal law.