Council of Europe: 'Italy studies racism among police forces'. Ira Meloni. Mattarella invites Police Chief to Colle: esteem and trust

"Our recommendation to the Italian government is that it conduct an independent study on the phenomenon of racial profiling in its police force as soon as possible, in order to assess the situation". This was said by Bertil Cottier, the president of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance of the Council of Europe (Ecri). "It is a growing phenomenon in many European countries, police officers stop people on the basis of the colour of their skin, or their supposed identity or religion, all this violates European values," Tena Simonovic Einwalter, vice-president of the Ecri, added at a press conference. Wrath of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who speaks of 'shameful accusations'. In the meantime, the President of the Republic invited the Chief of Police Director General of Public Security, Vittorio Pisani, for a meeting tomorrow morning 'to reconfirm the Republic's esteem and trust in the police force, whose actions are inspired by the democratic spirit and values of the Constitution'.

"In our annual report 2024 we do not mention countries specifically, but based on the country reports already published in the past, including the one on Italy, we can certainly say that the problem of racial profiling in the work of law enforcement agencies is a frequently encountered problem in Italy and France," added Tena Simonovic Einwalter speaking during the presentation of the Ecri annual report 2024. "On the other hand, there has been room for improvement in the British police force on the phenomenon of racial profiling. One of the means that has greatly helped to improve the work of the police force, and helped the collection of data to carry out studies in this regard, is the use of bodycams by police officers,' explained Ecri expert Els Katsman.

"The words uttered by the Council of Europe's Commission against Racism and Intolerance, accusing the Italian Police Force of racism, are simply shameful. Everyone is familiar with the numerous episodes in which police officers are attacked, often by illegal immigrants, while they perform their duty with courage, dedication and respect for the law. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that some bodies of the Council of Europe - also financed with Italian citizens' money - have indulged in unfounded judgments, the result of an ideological approach and obvious prejudices' is the harsh reaction (on X) of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The same indignation of the premier also comes from other ministers. 'So abstruse are the remarks against our police that if they were not offensive they would be ridiculous. They should be rejected at sender,' says Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. And Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi comments: 'I find it surprising and unacceptable that the Council of Europe, which is supposed to protect democracy, human rights and dialogue between peoples, makes unfounded and ideological judgments, such as the accusations of racism levelled at our police force.