ITALY will not take part in an upcoming UN conference on racism .....

Italy pulls out 'anti-Semitic' UN meet

Agence France-Presse
From correspondents in Rome, Italy
March 06, 2009 10:02pm

ITALY will not take part in an upcoming UN conference on racism because of a draft declaration that the foreign ministry says contains anti-Semitic language.

"Foreign Minister Franco Frattini decided that Italy was withdrawing its delegation because it does not approve of the draft declaration, which contains unacceptable, aggressive and anti-Semitic phrases,'' a spokesman said today.

The New York-based World Jewish Congress hailed what it called a "principled decision''.

"Italy has given a strong signal, which should be a rallying call for other EU countries,'' WJC President Ronald Lauder said.

Sending delegations to the April 20-24 conference in Geneva "would lend credibility to the efforts by some states to single out Israel for criticism ... and distract from the very real problems of state-sponsored racism in their own countries,'' he said.

The inaugural racism conference, held in the South African city of Durban in September 2001, saw a walk-out by Israeli and US delegates in protest against a bid by Arab nations to adopt a resolution that equates Zionism with racism.

Israel, Canada and the US have also vowed to boycott this year's gathering, dubbed "Durban II'', while Britain has threatened to walk away unless the language of the draft declaration is amended.

The EU is seeking to remove at least five paragraphs from the draft declaration relating to the situation in the Palestinian territories, such as an assertion that "in order to consolidate the Israeli occupation, (Palestinians) have been subjected to unlawful collective punishment, torture.''

You go Italy!!!!! at last!!!!

Rape penalities increased in Italy following Immigrant Rape rampage

Italy toughens penalties for rape after attacks

News.com.au
February 21, 2009 12:37am

ITALY'S government rushed through a decree law today toughening penalties for sex offenders and permitting neighbourhood citizen patrols after a spate of high-profile rapes by immigrants sparked national outrage.

Italy's government says data show the number of sexual assaults actually fell last year, but three rapes last weekend in Rome, Milan and Bologna triggered a media frenzy that prompted calls for tougher measures.

The decree approved by Italy's cabinet sets a mandatory life sentence for rapes that result in death, speeds up trials for sex offenders caught in the act, takes away the possibility of house arrest, and gives free legal assistance to victims.

The decree also introduces mandatory life sentences for rapes of minors. It goes into effect immediately but must be approved by both houses of parliament within 60 days. It also establishes rules for citizen street patrols by unarmed and unpaid volunteers. The move came after groups of self-styled and unregulated vigilantes began patrolling some towns, alarming law enforcement officials.

"This is what was needed. I have to wake up at five in the morning to accompany my daughter to the train station because the streets are not safe," a resident of Guidonia, a town east of Rome with a large immigrant population, said.

Mayors will be able to approve citizen patrols, with priority given to membership or leadership roles by retired police and military on leave.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi earlier said the number of sexual assaults fell 10 per cent last year compared to 2006 and 2007, which he said showed the government's efforts to improve security were working.

But many Italians are unconvinced, with recent rapes grabbing headlines in newspapers and television, often playing up the role of foreigners as perpetrators.

Some lawmakers have also reopened the debate over whether chemical castration of sex offenders should be instituted.

"There's a rape every 12 hours, every 24 hours, and it's time to end this," another resident of Guidonia, where a group of Romanians

last month raped a woman and beat her boyfriend, said.