Law+and+Government_Caroline

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Find out about local laws, including policies on human rights and anti-discrimination.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Italy http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm http://imej.wfu.edu/articles/1999/1/02/demo/country_profiles/Italy/govt.htm

Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Italian Republic elected on May 10, 2006. Romano Prodi is the Prime Minister of Italy since May 17, 2006. The Quirinal Palace, house of the President of the Republic.

The President of the Italian Republic is elected for seven years by the parliament sitting jointly with a small number of regional delegates. The president nominates the prime minister, who proposes the other ministers (formally named by the president). The Council of Ministers must retain the support of both houses.

All Italian citizens older than 18 years of age can vote, however, to vote for the senate, the voter must be at least 25 years of age or older.

Regulations for travellers
http://www.italiantourism.com/ http://www.italiantourism.com/regulat.html

Hefty fines are imposed on Tourists purchasing counterfeit goods while visiting Italy. As part of their ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and security of travelers, the Italian Government Tourist Board strongly recommends that tourists do not, under any circumstances, attempt to purchase any counterfeit items, as this may end up costing them well more than an authentic product.
 * Counterfeit goods**

As of May 2005 a new legislation was implemented which carries fines of up to 10,000 Euros for people caught purchasing counterfeit products, and criminal charges for anyone caught selling counterfeit goods. It aims at a nation wide crackdown on the sellers and buyers of counterfeit items, i.e. purses, sunglasses, watches, belts, etc bearing luxury labels such as Prada, Gucci, Fendi only to name a few.

Luggage is examined on entering and leaving Italy. Free entry is allowed for personal effects: clothing (new and used), books, camping and household equipment, fishing tackle, 1 pair of skis, 2 tennis racquets, computer, CD player with 10 CD's, tape recorder or Dictaphone, baby carriage, 2 still cameras with 10 rolls of film for each camera, 1 movie camera, binoculars, personal jewelry, portable radio set (subject to a small license fee), 400 cigarettes and a quantity of cigars or pipe tobacco not exceeding 500 grams (1.1 lb).
 * Customs Regulations**

All items mentioned above may be imported duty-free only on condition that they are for personal use and are not be sold, given away or traded. A maximum of two bottles of wine and one bottle of hard liquor per person may be brought in duty-free. The bottles must not be open. A maximum of 4.4 lbs. of coffee, 6.6 lbs. of sugar and 2.2 lbs. of cocoa are allowed duty-free.

Overseas tourists arriving in Italy after visiting other countries are allowed to carry with them souvenirs purchased in other countries up to a total value of $500 and only a verbal declaration is required. Purchases may include up to a half litre of perfume.

There are no restrictions on gifts purchased in Italy except for antiques and works of art. These require the authorisation of the Ministero dei Beni Culturali e Ambientali.
 * Exports from Italy**

A visa is not required for a U.S. or Canadian citizen holding a valid passport unless he expects to stay in Italy more than 90 days. If, after entering Italy, the tourist decides he would like to stay more than 90 days, he can apply, once only, at any police station (questura) for an extension of an additional 90 days. He will be asked to prove that he is a bona fide tourist with adequate means of support. As a rule, permission is granted immediately. Non-American citizens should check current visa requirements with the nearest Italian Consulate before departure.
 * Passport Regulations**

As of October 2, 2004 a new European Union regulation (EC 998\2003) applies for the non-commercial movement of pet animals (cats, dogs, and ferrets) in the European Union Member States.
 * Traveling With Your Pet**

Pets may enter Italy only if accompanied by their owner or a person responsible for them on behalf of the owner during their movement in Italy, and are not intended for sale. Up to a maximum of five pet animals are permitted.

In accordance with the above EC Regulation, it is mandatory to obtain, for each pet, a European Community Veterinary Certificate, issued, in the country of origin, by a certified veterinarian, containing information about the pet's general state of health and proving there is an effective vaccination protection against rabies: animals under the age of three months may not travel to Europe since the anti-rabies vaccine is not administered before the pet is three months old.

Pet animals must be identifiable by a clearly readable tattoo or an electronic identification system (microchip/transponder), which provides the pet owner's name and address. The certificate (issue date not to exceed 30 days prior to the departure date) is valid for 4 months from the date of the official veterinarian's signature or endorsement by the competent Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture's) or Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and is equivalent to the EU Pet Passport. The certificate forms are available from Italian diplomatic of consular representatives, whose authentication or certification is not needed.

To introduce pet animals in Italy from third countries, it is not necessary to subject the animals to tick or echinococcus treatments. Parrots, parakeets, rabbits and hares also require health certificates, and, upon entering Italy, are subject, to examination.

In Italy, it is mandatory to use a muzzle for dogs that walk on the streets or any open space without a leash, and a muzzle and a leash for dogs in public places and public transportation.

The formality of registering with the police within 3 days of a tourist's arrival in Italy is attended to by the hotels one stays with. If staying with friends or in a private home, the visitor has to register in person at the nearest police station within a 3-day period. In Rome there is a special police information office to assist tourists. (Interpreters are available) telephone: 461-950 or 486-609.
 * Registration for Tourists**

=**Human rights and anti-discrimination**=

http://www.errc.org/ http://www.errc.org/Research_index.php http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2277 http://www.errc.org/Romarights_index.php http://www.esteri.it/eng/4_28_59_55.asp http://www.esteri.it/eng/4_28_59_57.asp

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is an international public interest law organisation engaging in a range of activities aimed at combating anti-Romani racism and human rights abuse of Roma. The approach of the ERRC involves, in particular, strategic litigation, international advocacy, research and policy development, and training of Romani activists.

**Anti-discrimination law: Essential elements**
The year 2000 saw developments in Europe’s struggle against racism. In June 2000, the Council of the European Union adopted the directive of “implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective to racial or ethnic origin”. This developing anti-discrimination law makes primary reference to the European Union Directive, and also includes elements drawn from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). This law highlights the importance of legal measures to combat the continued widespread discrimination targeting Roma and other minorities throughout Europe and to provide a basic checklist of the necessary elements of an effective anti-discrimination law. One of Italy’s main foreign policy goals regards the protection and promotion of human rights. Among Italy’s main topics of interest are:
 * the fostering of democracy and the rule of law
 * the commitment to the abolition of the death penalty throughout the world
 * the protection of the rights of children and women against all forms of violence and discrimination
 * the struggle against racism and xenophobia.

Italy intends to continue and strengthen its efforts to protect the rights of children, who unfortunately continue to be the victims of violence, exploitation, slavery and horror in theatres of war in which the phenomenon of child soldiers is still present. To this end Italy continues to cooperate with UNICEF, increasing its traditional financial support for the year 2007.
 * Protection of children’s rights, especially children involved in armed conflicts.**

Italy pledges to foster and support the struggle against racism, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination in the pertinent international forums. Italy has been contributing on a voluntary basis to the United Nations Fund for Victims of Torture since 2004. Within the context of counter-discrimination efforts and the advancement of international law, Italy has actively participated in the negotiations on the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and was one of the initial signatories on 30 March 2007 of the Convention and its Optional Protocol.
 * Combating xenophobia, racism and all forms of discrimination.**

Italy also pledges to actively sport and maintain the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and the promotion of their rights among the primary objectives of its foreign and domestic human rights policies. Although many important gains have been made over recent decades, we are fully aware that in many parts of the world women and children continue to be the victims of both physical and psychological domestic violence, exploitation and trafficking, and that the political, civil, social and economic progress of every nation cannot deny women full and equal participation in decision-making processes, choices of government and educational and formative processes. This is why Italy supports the projects and efforts of UNIFEM and UNFPA.
 * Safeguarding and promoting the rights of women**

International humanitarian law governs the conduct of hostilities and protects the victims of armed conflicts, whether these be international or domestic. Its principal objective is therefore to prevent and alleviate suffering during conflicts and its rules apply to all parties regardless of the causes and specific responsibilities of the countries involved. It does not matter if a country is victim or aggressor, or if the war is just or unjust: the rules of international humanitarian law apply to all. Once an armed conflict begins the rules apply automatically.
 * I****nternational Humanitarian Law**

These rules consist, briefly, of:
 * respecting the principle of proportionality in the use of force;
 * prohibiting the use of means (weapons) and strategies that might cause excessive, unnecessary suffering. The military objective cannot involve an excessively high number of civilian victims with respect to any strategic gains that might be expected from the operation;
 * protecting the right to humane treatment for prisoners, the wounded and all those not taking an active part in the hostilities.

http://www.jhubc.it/ecpr-istanbul/virtualpaperroom/059.pdf

From a report – Article 13 EC states:

Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Treaty and within limits of the powers conferred by it upon the Community, the Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, //may take appropriate// action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (emphasis added).

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.giustizia.it/cassazione/leggi/dlgs29_93.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=4&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DDecreto%2BLegislativo%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

On this website for the legislative decree, there was reference to Act 58-bis Code of behaviour and Act 61 Equal opportunity. The only barrier in finding this information and getting any details about the codes is that they were all in Italian, and I could not personally interpret them.

Report from the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia: “A comparison of national anti-discrimination legislation on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief with the Council Directives.”

Anti-discrimination Legislation in EU Member States – Preface (page 4)

http://eumc.eu.int/eumc/material/pub/Art13/ART13_Italy-en.pdf (see below)

The European Union (EU) is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, principles which are common to all Member States. The right to equality before the law and the protection of all persons from discrimination, together with the respect and promotion of the rights of minorities is essential to the proper functioning of democratic societies.

Strategies and activities to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism form an integral part of the European Union’s work on equality, justice and social inclusion.

The Amsterdam Treaty which entered into force in May 1999, introduced a new article 13 into the EC Treaty. The European Commission proposed a package of measures to implement article 13 in November 1999 which led to he adoption in 2000 of a Council Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin and a Council Directive establishing a general framework for employment equality and a Council Decision establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination.

The Eurpoean Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) was established by the EU during 1997 as part of the EU’s aim to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism more effectively at a European level. The EUMC has the task to provide the Community and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable data at a European level on the phenomena of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in order to help them when hey take measures or formulate courses of action. It also undertakes studies and examines examples of good practice, formulates conclusions and opinions and publishes and Annual Report.

The EUMC as part of its work in the field of legislation commissioned a study to compare Member States’ anti-discrimination legislation and the article 13 directives. Information from the study was used to produce a series of country reports. The reports aim:
 * to provide an overview of existing anti-discrimination legislation on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, religion or belief in the Member States and draw a comparison with the anti-discrimination Directives;
 * to support the implementation of the directives by the Member States by indicating to each Member State the development in other Member States (with the view that by providing information on the variety of approaches adopted by Member State to deal with the same issues Member States could benefit from the experience of each other);
 * to identify areas which may require further development;
 * to support the European Commission in the framework of the Community Action Programme in particular under Strand 1 – Analysis and evaluation, and
 * to support wider debate as the issue is of interest to a variety of sectors in society.

(Beate Winkler, Director EUMC)

Note all sources listed were accessed on the 19th and 20th May 2007. Some sites were accessed before these dates, but referenced as their latest date in regards to the information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Italy

http://www.italiantourism.com/ http://www.italiantourism.com/regulat.html

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

http://imej.wfu.edu/articles/1999/1/02/demo/country_profiles/Italy/govt.htm

http://www.errc.org/

http://www.errc.org/Research_index.php http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2277

http://www.errc.org/Romarights_index.php

http://www.esteri.it/eng/4_28_59_55.asp

http://www.esteri.it/eng/4_28_59_57.asp