Overview
- The Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission recommended an independent study into alleged racial profiling by Italian police to assess a rising phenomenon across Europe.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the watchdog’s claims as “shameful” and attributed them to ideological bias rather than factual evidence.
- Vice-Premier Antonio Tajani and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi labeled the commission’s observations “offensive” and questioned the body’s relevance to Italy’s security policies.
- Major police unions, including Coisp and Siulp, described the recommendation as an unjustified attack on officers who they say act on suspicious behavior rather than skin color.
- President Sergio Mattarella reaffirmed state confidence in law enforcement and invited the police chief for talks ahead of discussions on measures like body cameras.