Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of Italy *

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the fifth periodic report of Italy on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/ITA/5) at its 57th and 58th meetings (see E/C.12/2015/SR.57 and 58), held on 25 September 2015, and adopted the following concluding observations at its 78th meeting, held on 9 October 2015.

A.Introduction

The Committee welcomes the fifth periodic report submitted by the State party and the supplementary information provided in the replies to the list of issues (E/C.12/ITA/Q/5/Add.1), while regretting that these were submitted with considerable delay. The Committee also welcomes the oral replies provided by the delegation.

B.Positive aspects

The Committee welcomes the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in 2015.

The Committee also appreciates the ratification of the following international human rights instruments:

(a)Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, in 2009;

(b)Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in 2013.

The Committee notes with appreciation the following legislative and policy measures taken by the State party:

(a)Act No. 107/2015 on reform of the national system of education and training;

(b)Act No. 183/2014 on labour reforms;

(c)Act No. 99/2013 on the promotion of employment and social cohesion;

(d)Youth Guarantee Programme, launched in 2014;

(e)National Strategy for the Inclusion of Roma, Sinti and Travellers, adopted in 2012.

C.Principal subjects of concern and recommendations

Justiciabilityof the Covenant

The Committee is concerned that the Covenant provisions are not fully reflected in the State party’s Constitution and thus that not all Covenant rights are justiciable. The Committee is also concerned that the provisions of the Covenant have not been invoked before or applied by domestic courts.

The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to fully incorporate the Covenant in the State party’ s legal order and thu s render the economic, social and cultural rights enshrined therein justiciable in domestic courts. It also encourages the State p arty to step up its efforts to raise awareness among members of the judiciary , lawyers and rights holders about the Covenant and its Optional Protocol, and about the justiciability of those rights. The Committee invites the State p arty to consider recogni z ing the competence of the Committee under article 11 of the Optional Protocol. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant.

Austerity measures

While recognizing the financial crisis faced by the State party, the Committee expresses concern that the levels of effective protection for the rights enshrined in the Covenant have been reduced as a result of the austerity measures adopted by the State party, which adversely affects enjoyment of the Covenant rights, particularly by disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups.

The Committee recommends that the State party r eview, based on a human rights impact assessment , all the measures that have been taken in response to the financial crisis and are still in place , with a view to ensuring the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. In this regard, it draws the State party’s attention to its open letter of 16 May 2012 to States parties on economic, social and cultural rights in the context of the economic and financial crisis, and in particular to the requirements that austerity policies must meet.

Corruption

While acknowledging the adoption in 2012 of the Anti-Corruption Act, the Committee is concerned that corruption remains pervasive within the State party, including in the judiciary. It is also concerned about the inadequate and underresourced institutions set up to curb corruption.

The Committee urges the State party to increase its efforts to combat corruption, including in the judiciary. It calls upon the State party , among other measure s, to guarantee the transparency and independence of its anti-corruption institutions , investigate all allegations of corruption and ensure effective implementation of the anti-corruption law . I t also encourage s the State party to allocate sufficient resources to the anti-corruption agency, implement a zero-tolerance p olicy against corruption and ensure effective protection of victims of corruption , whistle-blowers , and their lawyers.

Official development assistance

The Committee expresses concern over the decline in the level of the State party’s official development assistance from the already low figure of 0.2 per cent of gross national product(GNP) in 2006 to a mere 0.15 per cent in 2010.

The Committee calls up on the State party to progressively increase its official development assistance to the internationally agreed level of 0.7 per cent of GNP and to pursue a human rights – based approach in its development cooperation policy that reflects the rights enshrined in the Covenant.

National human rights institution

While noting the information provided by the delegation about the pending draft laws aimed at establishing a national human rights institution, the Committee remains concerned about the continued delays in doing so despite its previous recommendation.

The Committee urges the State party to redouble its efforts to establish an adequately resourced national human rights institution that is compliant with the principles relating to the status of national institutions (Paris Principles) and is mandated with the protection and promotion of all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights .

Legal framework for non-discrimination

While taking note of the anti-discrimination provision in the State party’s Constitution, the Committee is concerned that not all grounds of discrimination prohibited under the Covenant are enumerated in that provision, and that existing legislation addresses only some grounds of discrimination. The Committee is also concerned that same-sex unions are not recognized in the State party’s legislation (art. 2 (2)).

The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that guarantee s protection for everyone against discrimination in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, and encompass es all forms of discriminatio n, including sexual orientation and gender identity . It also recommends that t he State party r ecognize that individuals in same-sex unions are entitled to equal enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights . The Committee draws the State party’s attention to it s general comment N o. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights.

Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees

The Committee appreciates the efforts made by the State party, including through the launch in 2013 of operation Mare Nostrum, to receive and host exceptional numbers of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. The Committee, however, remains concerned about the reported practice of pushbacks and about limited enjoyment of the Covenant rights by migrants, asylum seekers and refugees upon arrival in the State party. The Committee is particularly concerned about the insufficient number of reception centres in the State party and the substandard conditions therein (art. 2 (2)).

The Committee urges the State party to stop the practice of pushbacks. The Committee recommends that the State party i ntensify its efforts to ensure the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. In implementing its Covenant obligations towards these persons , it is recommended that the State party seek and strengthen international cooperation and assistance, in particular with States members of the European Union . The Committee also recommends that the Stat e party take measures to increase the number of reception cent re s , to improve the living conditions there in and to ensure that everyone in the cent re s ha s access to medical care, interpreters, adequate food , clothing and social support .

Discrimination against persons with disabilities

The Committee is concerned about discrimination against persons with disabilities in several areas covered by the Covenant, particularly employment, standard of living and education. The Committee is also concerned that the concept of reasonable accommodation is not incorporated into all relevant legislation, which contributes further to de facto discrimination against persons with disabilities (arts. 2, 6, 11, 13 and 14).

The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that persons with disabilities full y enjoy their rights under the C ovenant without discrimination, particular ly with regard to their right to work, an adequate standar d of living and education. The Committee also recommends that the State party incorporate the concept of reasonable a ccommodation in to all legislation affecting persons with disabilities , and take measures to ensure its implementation.

Equality between men and women

The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of various laws and policies aimed at increasing women’s representation in political affairs, including Act No. 120/2011 on equal access to boards of directors and boards of statutory auditors of publicly listed companies and Act No. 215/2012 on provisions to promote gender balance and equality in local governments and regional councils. However, it remains concerned that gender role stereotypes persist and that women’s representation in the national Parliament, the judiciary and senior positions within the public administration remains unsatisfactory. It is also concerned that Roma women and women from the south are nearly absent from the public scene (art. 3).

R ecalling its general comment No. 16 (2005) on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights, t he Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to combat gender stereotypes and that it embark on national awareness - raising campaigns, including by increased use of the media , aimed at modifying the population’s mindset as regards gender roles . It also recommend s that the State party take effective measures to enhance women’s participation in all areas of public life , and that it consider the adoption of temporary special measures including quotas, paying particular attention to Roma women and women from the south.

Unemployment

The Committee is concerned that, in spite of the various programmes designed to tackle unemployment and the situation of young people who are neither in education nor in training, the unemployment rate is high in the State party, affecting particularly the youth, persons with disabilities and migrant workers, and that measures taken in that regard have not yielded the desired results. The Committee is also concerned about regional disparities in the prevalence of unemployment, which is far more acute in the south and on the islands, and about the limited effectiveness of the measures taken to address that situation (art. 6).

The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to address unemployment effectively , including by adjusting where necessary and implementing existing programmes and plans, including labour market reforms, with the aim of in tegrat ing the unemployed in to the labour market. In doing so, the State party is encouraged to pay particular attention to groups that are more vu lnerable to unemployment, n ame ly the youth, persons with disabilities and migrant workers. The Committee also recommend s that the State party take measures to substantially improve the effectiveness of its programmes so as to ensure that the right to work of those living in the southern provinces and on the islands is respected, protected and fulfilled .

Women’s employment

The Committee is concerned about the sharp difference in the employment rate between women and men, which particularly affects women in the south. The Committee is also concerned about women’s concentration in the informal economy and in low-paid sectors, which perpetuates vertical and horizontal occupational sex segregation and the gender wage gap. The Committee is further concerned that the already low rate of women’s employment before the financial crisis has been exacerbated by austerity measures (arts. 3, 6 and 7).

The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures to raise the employment rate of women , while paying particular attention to the situation of women in the south . It is encouraged to do so including by embarking on education and training programmes aimed at reducing occupational sex segregation and encouraging women to take up traditionally male-dominated occupations , as well as by considering creating incentives for employers. Furthermore , it recommends that t he State party ensure that austerity measures do not generate a disproportionately negative effect on women ’s employment .

Informal economy

The Committee reiterates its concern about the considerable proportion of workers in the informal economy in the State party, and that such workers are not adequately covered by labour and social protection laws. It is also concerned about the punitive approach taken by the State party towards the informal economy (art. 7).

The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a holistic approach in addressing the informal economy. It recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to progressively reduce the extent of the informal economy and to increase employment opportunities in the formal labour market. In the interim, the State party is encouraged to take steps to ensure that workers in the informal economy enjoy basic labour rights and social protection . In this connection , the Committee draws the State party’s attention to International Labour Organization recommendation No. 204 (2015) on the transition from the informal to the formal economy , and the Committee’s “ S tatement on s ocial protection floors: an essential element of the right to social security and of the s ustainable d evelopment g oals ” (2015) .

Just and favourable conditions of work

While noting that the State party has introduced an hourly minimum wage, the Committee is concerned about the absence of a monthly minimum wage for groups of workers not covered by collective agreements.. The Committee is also concerned about the absence of the principle of equal pay for work of equal value in the State party’s legislation (art. 7).

The Committee recommends that the State party establish a monthly minimum wage that is indexed to the cost of living and allows a decent living for all workers and their families. The Committee also reiterates its recommend ation that the State party without further delay explicitly include in the labour code the principle of equal pay for work of equal val ue for men and women, and introduce the mechanism necessary for its effective implementation.

Trade union rights

The Committee regrets the absence of a law on trade union rights in the State party and the lack of information on the right to strike (art. 8).

The Committee recommends that the Sta te party adopt a legal framework governing trade union rights and the right to strike in line with article 8 of the Covenant and that it provide information i n its next periodic report on the actual enjoyment of th o se rights .

Social security

The Committee is concerned about the significant cuts to social expenditure and essential services during the financial crisis, which have disproportionately affected disadvantaged and marginalized groups and individuals. It is also concerned about the persistence of regional disparities in social spending per capita and in social services provision. The Committee further expresses concern at the inadequacy of unemployment benefits (art. 9).

The Committee recommends that the State party :

(a) Take immediate measures to mitigate the effects of social expenditure cuts , and fully restore the financial allocation s to the main national funds for social interventions, notably the National Fund for Social Policy and Fund for Dependent Persons;

(b) Redouble its efforts to allocate resources so as to ensure that social spending per capita a nd social services provision are made on a non-discriminatory basis across the State party ;

(c) Guarantee that social benefits, including unemployment benefits, are indexed to the cost of living and provide a decent living for beneficiaries and their families .

Violence against women and girls

The Committee is concerned that domestic violence against women and girls remains pervasive in the State party despite numerous legislative and policy measures adopted to address it. The Committee is also concerned that the measures taken do not address the situation of women and girls with disabilities, who are particularly subject to domestic violence (art. 10).

The C o mmittee recommends that the S tate part y redouble its effort s to combat violence again st wo men and girls and to prosecute perpetrators . In that regard , it calls up on the State party to ensure effective imp lem e nt ation of the related legislation , and the adequate resourc ing of plans of action , including the action plan against sexual and gender -based violence . Furthermore, the Committee recommends that public awareness -raising campaigns against domestic violence be strengthened , and that support for victims of domestic violenc e be reinforced , including by facilitating their access to adequate services for recovery, counselling and other forms of rehabilitation . The Committee draws the State party’s attention , in particular, to the domestic violence experienced by women and girls with disabi lities and recommends that the S tate party facilitate their access to complaint procedure s and ensure that they receive adequate support and assistance.

Poverty

The Committee is concerned about the increasing rate of poverty in recent years, especially in the light of the financial crisis. It is particularly concerned about the high rate of child poverty and the regional disparities in poverty prevalence as well as the increase in income inequality across the country (art. 11).

The Committee urges the State party to step up it s efforts to address poverty while payin g particular attention to child poverty and poverty in the southern provinces. Among other measures , it recommends that the State party strengthen social and financial support for families in situations of vuln erability and develop human rights – based poverty-reduction programmes, taking into consideration the Committee’s s tatement on p overty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ( E/C.12/2001/10 ) .

Right to housing

The Committee remains concerned about the shortage of affordable housing units and of social housing and about the de facto exclusion of Roma from accessing social housing. It is also concerned about the increased number of homeless persons in the State party and the inadequate measures taken to address homelessness (art. 11).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Adopt comprehensive national housing legislation, including legislation on rent control that promote s affordable rental housing, in order to meet the needs of poor and of low-income families, and as a matter of urgency, increase the availability of affordable rental housing;

(b) Adopt a national strategy to e nquire into the causes and the extent of homelessness that e specially affects foreigners , and adopt more effective measures to address homelessness;

(c) Increase the availability of social housing units , targeting the most in need, and repeal any regional enactment or rescind any policy on eligibility to social housing that causes indirect discrimination against Roma and exclude s them from access thereto.

Forced evictions

The Committee is concerned about the absence of a legal framework governing evictions. It is also concerned at the increased incidence of forced evictions, particularly of Roma and those who cannot afford the increased rental costs (art. 11).

Recalling its general comment s N o. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing and No. 7 (1997) on forced evictions, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Develop a legal framework on evictions that is compliant with international standards;

(b) Avoid carrying out forced evictions, and ensure that any necessary evictions are always carried out as a last resort , after all feasible alternatives have been explored and with the required procedural safeguards ;

(c) Provide compensation and /or alternative accommodation to all persons affected by forced evictions, including those carried out under the “ n omad e mergency ” that was declared unlawful in 2011 by the Council of State .

Roma living conditions

The Committee is concerned about the substandard living conditions of Roma, many of whom live in informal settlements or in de facto segregated Roma camps (art. 11).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Implement effectively the National Strategy for the Inclusion of Roma, Sinti and Travellers at the national, provincial and local levels , and take effective and immediate measures to end the segregation of Roma living in Roma camps, in accordance with the ruling of the Tribunal of Rom e of May 2015 ;

(b) Prioritize the r eg ul a r ization of informal settlements, and work out other solutions in meaningful consultation with the Roma communities concerned;

(c) Determine without delay the minimum e ssential levels as core elements of housing required to meet the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, in line with the Constitutional Court’s ruling s of 2007 and 2008 ;

(d) Ensure that Roma communities living in informal settlements enjoy access to basic services, such as water, electricity , waste disposal services and sanitation .

Right to health

The Committee is concerned about regional disparities in access to basic health-care services adversely affecting populations living in the southern provinces and about the inadequate measures taken by the State party to address such disparities. The Committee is also concerned that, as a result of the budget cuts in the context of the austerity measures, a considerable segment of the population can no longer access health-care services because of increased fees. The Committee is further concerned at the reported trend of reinstitutionalizing dependent persons and persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities (art. 12).

The Committee recommends that the State party :

(a) T ake effective measures to ensure equal access to basic health - care services throughout the State p arty with a view to bridging the gap between the provinces in the north and the south of Italy i n such access ;

(b) Ensure that reforms adopted do not limit access by persons on the bas is of their socioeconomic situation , taking into account the Committee’s general comment No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health;

(c) Assess the impact of any proposed cuts on access by the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups to health - care services;

(d) P rovide alternative family- and community-based care systems for dependent persons and persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities and ensure that institutional care is used only as a measure of last resort .

Legal termination of pregnancy

The Committee is concerned that despite Act No. 194/78, which allows legal abortion, there is only limited availability of, and accessibility to, abortion services and that this is exacerbated by the increased number of health personnel conscientiously objecting to carrying out such operations, leading pregnant women to undergo unsafe abortions (art. 12).

The Committee recommends that the State party guarantee the full application of Act No. 194/78 across the State party . To that end, the Committee recommends that the State party adopt a procedure common to all provinces in order to guarantee access to abortion services and appropriate referral services , and ensure that the exercise of conscientious o bjection by health -care personnel does not pose an obstacle for women who wish to terminate a pregnancy .

Obesity

The Committee is concerned that one in ten adults is obese, with persons with lower levels of education being most at risk, and about the significant increase in child obesity in the State party (art. 12).

The Committee recommends that the Sta t e party redouble its efforts to combat obesity , particularly among children . I t also recommend s that the State party introduc e higher taxes on junk foods and sweet beverages and consider adopting strict regulation s on the marketing of such products , while ensuring improved access to healthy diets.

School dropout rate

The Committee is concerned that, despite some progress made, the school dropout rate in the last two years of high school in the State party is still higher than the European Union average, with higher prevalence in the southern provinces (art. 13).

The Committee recommends that the State party redouble its efforts to reduce the school dropout rat e in the last two years of high school , in line with the Europe 2020 s trategy , which addresses the socioeconomic factors that influence decisions to leave school prematurely by prioritiz ing the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups. It also recommends that t he S t ate party p a y particular attention to the tendency of children in the southern provinces .

Inclusive education

The Committee is concerned at statistics provided by the State party, during the dialogue, showing the high proportion of persons with disabilities among those who have not attended school and their lower proportion among those who have obtained a high school diploma. The Committee is also concerned at the persistence of physical barriers in schools and at the absence of training targeted at teachers and other education professionals on inclusive education (arts. 13 and 14).

The C ommittee reco mmends that the S tate party expedite the adoption of draft law No. 2444 on inclusive education. It also recommend s that the State party take measures to ensure in p ractice the implement ation of inclusive education for children with disabilities , such as: (a) training of all teachers (beyond special education teachers) and ot h er education professionals ; (b) individual education plans for all pupils with disabilities ; (c) availability of assistive devices and support in classrooms, and of educational materials and curricula; ( d ) accessibility of physical school environments; ( e ) teaching of sign language; and ( f ) allocation of sufficient financial resources.

Cultural rights

The Committee regrets the lack of information on the actual enjoyment of the rights enumerated under article 15 of the Covenant, in particular concerning article 15 (1) (b). While noting efforts to teach the Italian language to migrant children so as to facilitate their integration in the State party, the Committee is concerned about the limited efforts made to allow them to retain their mother tongue (art. 15).

The Committee requests that the State party provide , in its next periodic report , information on the enjoyment of the right to take part in cultural life by all individuals , taking into consideration the Committee’s general comment No. 21 (2009) on the right of everyone to take part in cultural life . It also recommend s that the State party increase efforts to assist second - generation migrant children and youth in retaining th eir mother tongue and promoting their cultural traditions .

D.Other recommendations

The Committee recommends that the State party collect data and use statistics , and that it encourage the ir collection and use , for human rights indicators, including for economic, social and cultural rights.

In th at respect, the Committee refers the State party to the conceptual and methodological framework for human rights indicators developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (HRI/MC/2008/3). The Committee requests that the State party include in its next periodic report statistical data on the enjoyment of each Covenant right, disaggregated by age, sex, ethnic origin, urban or rural location , disability and other relevant status, on an annual comparative basis.

The Committee requests that the State party translate the present c oncluding o bservations into the official language and disseminate the m widely at all levels of society, particularly among parliamentarians, public officials and judicial authorities, and that it inform the Committee in its next periodic report about the steps taken to implement them. The Committee also encourages the State party to engage non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of consultation at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

The Committee requests the State party to submit its sixth periodic report, to be prepared in accordance with the reporting guidelines adopted by the Committee in 2008 (E/C.12/2008/2), by 3 1 October 2020. It also invites the State party to submit its common core document , in accordance with the harmonized guidelines on reporting under the international human rights treaties (HRI/GEN/2/Rev.6, chap. I).