Speech

Universal Periodic Review 48: UK Statement on Italy

Statement at Italy's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Eleanor Sanders
Published
20 January 2025
Location:
Geneva
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Eleanor Sanders

Thank you, Mr President.

We welcome Italy’s commitment to human rights, including its candidacy for the Human Rights Council.

We commend Italy’s efforts to implement its National Action Plan against Trafficking and Serious Exploitation of Human Beings, and welcome the adoption of the Strategic Plan on Male Violence Against Women.

However, we note the persistence of racial and discriminatory attitudes in society. We encourage greater protections for LGBT+ individuals, including tackling discrimination against same-sex couples and families.

We recommend that Italy:

  1. Implement the recommendations of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, particularly around prevention and prosecution.

  2. Implement the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance recommendation to set up an independent equality body. 

  3. Follow up on recommendations in the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, to ensure continued progress to stop violence against women and girls.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 20 January 2025