TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 110

ITALY

Report by HM Embassy, Rome

Right No.

CONFIDENTIAL

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2

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

Italian law specifies maximum periods of pre-trial imprisonment, up to two years in serious cases.

These can, however, be extended by a judge and persons accused of serious crime are often imprisoned, or required to remain in one place reporting to the police each day for several years, while investigations continue. For less serious cases limits of two to six months are specified, and because of congestion in the penal system these are the norm rather than the exception. But these limits are observed and even obvious criminals are then set free.

Methods of interrogation are sometimes pretty rough and conditions in prisons very bad. This could amount to degrading treatment but not torture as such.

There is no slavery as such. There are cases reported in Southern Italy where young boys are forcibly "apprenticed" by their father to a farmer while the father gets the pay for the work done by the son.

2

1

(iv)

There are no restrictions on freedom of speech, of the press, television and radio.

(v)

The independence of the judiciary is total, though some judgements show signs of individual political bias.

о

(vi)

Trade Union freedom is complete.

(vii)

Freedom to emigrate is complete.

о

CONFIDENTIAL