İtalya’da ‘Romanlar başka otobüse binsin’ tartışması
In Italy, a mayor from the umbrella party of a broad-based coalition government proposed that separate municipal buses be allocated to Roma citizens, which came as a shock.
Claudio Gambino, the mayor of Borgaro, a district of Turin with a population of 15,000, from the Democratic Party (PD), suggested that separate municipal bus lines be established for Roma citizens. The social democrat mayor, who applied to the ATM that provides internal transportation in Borgaro, stated that Roma people constantly cause trouble and disturb the peace of the people by pickpocketing.
Despite Gambino’s proposal being interpreted as a ‘racist’ approach, it was also accepted by the municipal council members from the Left, Ecological and Freedom Party (SEL).
The proposal was put forward in response to complaints from citizens about the increasing crime rate on the number 69 bus, which runs from Stampalia Square in central Turin to the Roma camp in the Borgaro district. It was reported that Italian citizens requested help from the municipality with complaints such as, “Gypsies are constantly attacking us, pulling knives on us,” “They are cutting young girls’ hair with scissors for no reason,” “They are spitting on the ground and on us,” and “They are pickpocketing.” While the municipal council members made statements that this practice was for the good of everyone, they said, “This has nothing to do with racism, on the contrary, it should be seen as a solution to a problem that has been increasing for a long time.”
SEL party leader Nichi Vendola reacted to this decision and said, “In a place where human rights are forgotten, politics is also dead.”
This proposal, which the mayor announced that he would take to higher authorities, was supported by the Lega Nord (Northern League) party, which follows a separatist policy in favor of the north of Italy. Mario Borghezio, one of the party’s representatives in the European Parliament, said, “I congratulate the Borgaro Municipal Council members for approving this practice that separates Roma and citizens from each other. This way, the increasing waves of fights and petty crimes can be prevented. I also recommend the capital city of Rome to implement this brave practice,” he said. Esma Çakır - Rome / DHA
25.10.2014
