An Appeal to EU institutions and OHCHR. A Persecution of the Roma and Poor Migrants is Underway in Milan, Italy

Milan - With the new left-wing mayor, the city of Milan has become a living hell for migrants, Roma and the homeless. If the previous right-wing mayor was intolerant and cruel with foreigners, unfortunately the present one has issued even harsher measures.

The politicians in Milan are spreading all kinds of slander against ethnic minorities, particularly the story of the "beggars’ racket." This lie has prevented Roma and poor foreigners surviving off begging.

The police are destroying minor Roma settlements and the small market stalls of the poor (one witness saw a policeman kicking over a box of lemons that a poor Indian woman was selling on the street).One Roma camp was intentionally burnt down, without any humanitarian help being offered by the institutions.

The men in uniform are cruel and harsh with marginalized people, and when human rights defenders attempt a civil mediation, the police threaten to take them down to the police station in handcuffs. Milan is in the grip of racism and a persecution of minorities.

We are appealing to the EU institutions and the OHCHR to carry out inspections and help the human rights organizations in contact with marginalized minorities to sustain the Roma community, poor foreigners, refugees, and the homeless.

April 16, 2012