Italy: Independent UN panel to assess racial justice in the context of law enforcement during a nine-day, four-city visit

Members of the UN International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the Context of Law Enforcement will visit Italy from 2 to 10 May 2024.

The experts will look into laws, policies and practices regulating the use of force by law enforcement officials, including their alignment with international human rights standards, as well as concrete steps needed to ensure access to justice, accountability and redress for excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officials against Africans and people of African descent.

“We look forward to gaining first-hand insight about the lived experiences of Africans and people African descent in Italy, and to offer recommendations to the Government, to support efforts in combatting systemic racism, excessive use of force and other violations, and ensure accountability and justice,” said Judge Akua Kuenyehia, Chairperson of the Expert Mechanism.

During their visit, members of the Expert Mechanism will travel to Rome, Milan, Catania and Naples. The experts will meet with Government officials, representatives of law enforcement, prosecutors and lawyers, equality bodies, civil society, affected individuals and communities, among others, and will visit different law enforcement headquarters and places of criminal and administrative (migration) detention.

The Expert Mechanism’s visit is informed by preparatory research and input, including pursuant to a call for inputs ahead of the visit.

At the end of their mission on Friday, 10 May, the experts will share preliminary findings and recommendations at a press conference scheduled to be held at the Sala Stampa Estera Italia, Palazzo Grazioli, Via del Plebiscito 102, in Rome, at 12 p.m. local time. Registration is required (by email to marina.mazzini@un.org by 9 May) and access will be limited to journalists.

The Expert Mechanism will present a full country visit report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in September 2024.

Background:  The International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the Context of Law Enforcement was established in July 2021 by the Human Rights Council to make recommendations, inter alia, on the concrete steps needed to ensure access to justice, accountability and redress for excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officials against Africans and people of African descent. Judge Akua Kuenyehia (Ghana), Dr. Tracie Keesee (United States of America) and Professor Juan Méndez (Argentina) were appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council to serve as its independent experts.

For media requests and queries, please contact: (traveling with the experts) Alan Mayo (alan.mayo@un.org / + 41 76 691 0826); In Italy/Italian: Marina Mazzini (UNICRI) marina.mazzini@un.org / +39 347 4809463); In Geneva: Todd Pitman, Media Adviser for the UN Human Rights Council’s Investigative Missions, todd.pitman@un.org / +41 76 691 1761; or Pascal Sim, Human Rights Council Media Officer, simp@un.org / +41 79 477 4411.