Italy - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 34, November 4, 2019
Recommendations by Canada

Background

According to UPR Info, a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) that tracks the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, in the first two cycles of the UPR, Italy received a total of 356 recommendations, of which 319 were accepted (an acceptance rate of 89%). Canada’s previous recommendations to Italy were related to combatting discrimination in all its forms, particularly discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual orientation.

The Italian legislative and institutional framework for the protection of human rights is particularly strong. Since its last UPR appearance in 2014, Italy has adopted the law on Same-sex Civil Unions and Cohabitation, the National Action Plan against Trafficking and Serious Exploitation of Human Beings, the National Action Plan on Business and Human rights, the law on gender-based violence and civil protection and the National Strategy for the Inclusion of the Roma and Sinti Communities. In the same period, Italy has also ratified a series of international instruments, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In December 2018, Italy was elected to the Human Rights Council for the period 2019-2021.

Italy’s human rights record, however, could be strengthened further. Despite recommendations received from the United Nations human rights mechanisms, Italy still lacks a National Human Rights Institution to monitor the implementation of international human rights standards at the national level. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has also cited an increase in xenophobic, racist and hate-motivated incidents and attacks, as well as an increase in hate speech towards minorities and vulnerable groups, including migrants, Roma, religious minorities and the LGBTI community. Another area of concern as observed by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women is the high prevalence of gender-based violence, fuelled by stereotypes regarding women’s traditional roles and responsibilities, which undermine their social status and educational and career prospects.

Recommendations

Thank you, Mr. President.

Canada welcomes the many important measures adopted by Italy since its last UPR, including the legalization of same-sex civil unions and the adoption of legislation to combat violence against women.

Canada recommends that Italy:

1. Accelerate efforts to establish an independent national institution for the implementation and monitoring of human rights, in compliance with the Paris Principles.
2. Adopt a national strategy to effectively counter incitement to racial hatred, discrimination and violence against specific groups, combat stereotypes, and promote intercultural understanding and diversity.  
3. Adopt measures to counter gender stereotypes and attitudes that restrict or deny women’s full participation in the public and private spheres, including through awareness-raising campaigns for the general public, as well as training for education and law enforcement professionals.