Culture

Italy starts controversial plan to fingerprint Gypsies, including children

by PEP | July 4, 2008 at 04:19 am

293 views | 4 Recommendations | 4 comments

This is certain to be a controversial program. Should governments target certain groups for fingerprinting and tracking?

Italian authorities have started fingerprinting tens of thousands of Gypsies living in nomad camps across the country — adults and children alike — brushing aside accusations of racism by human rights advocates and international organizations.

Interior Minister Roberto Maroni told parliament this week the move was needed to fight crime and identify illegal immigrants for expulsion, but also to improve the lives of those legally living in the makeshift, often unsanitary camps.

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Caoimhin1

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 04:38 on July 4th, 2008

PEP, I like this story. It's good stuff. There is a growing xenophobia in Europe these days, brought on by the economic downturn and loss of jobs. The Roma communities, the European gypsies, are a nationless peoples who suffer great abuse.

PEP

at 04:41 on July 4th, 2008

I agree--and I also think that Muslims who move in and then demand that the culture and laws change have accelerated xenophobia by thousands of times over. The Roma are truly among the historically persecuted. Although, on the other hand, in the U.S., I have to be fair and say that there are huge families well known for scamming and stealing. But because of those elements, I wouldn't want entire communities, some of whom no doubt are blameless, to be singled out for fingerprinting or anything else. Stereotyping and selecting target populations for differing treatment is dangerous business. Thanks for the flag!