Roma Community's Fate: Italian authorities move to shut down all camps for ethnic group

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In Italy, the ethnic Roma community is at risk of being driven out of their homes and camps. This comes as the country's interior minister has called for non-Italians to be sent back to their countries of origin. Human rights groups are voicing concern. CGTN's Michal Bardavid has more.

The entrance of this Roma camp is safeguarded by a police car. Outsiders are clearly not welcome as police officers warn of dangers beyond the gate. The Roma community in Italy live in such seclusion, they feel unwanted and in need to protect their own boundaries.

MICHAL BARDAVID ROME "According to the 21 July Association, that works with Roma people, there are 127 camps in 74 cities across Italy where the Roma communities live, but the country's Interior Ministry wants to eventually close all of them, starting with illegal settlements first and then shutting down authorized camps as well where they would re-settle is still a question mark."

Aurora Sordini is a lawyer advocating human rights for the Roma community in Italy with the 21 July Association. She stresses that the government must first present viable solutions.

AURORA SORDINI GENERAL SECRETARY & LAWYER, 21 JULY ASSOCIATION "We, as Association July 21, are also strongly convinced that the camps should be shut down, but not by forced eviction and not without any kind of alternative solution that includes paths for housing, employment, health, and education."

Salvanovic Dzemila is part of the Roma community. She works as a cultural mediator for the July 21 Association and says she personally experiences the pain.

SALVANOVIC DZEMILA ROMA MEDIATOR, 21 JULY ASSOCIATION "There is a lot of racism. In recent times, there has been more racism against the Roma people. There is more fear. We do not know what can happen. We do not know the plan for the future. We feel like we are unstable."

The locations of the camps also make life even more challenging for the Roma.

SALVANOVIC DZEMILA ROMA MEDIATOR, 21 JULY ASSOCIATION "From buses to hospitals, they are far from all public services because they're situated at the edge of the city. It's difficult for those who do not have cars and those who are sick and unable to reach the city easily. They always have to depend on someone else."

There are many such difficulties for the Roma in Italy –financial stability, discrimination and a potential risk of losing their make-shift homes. And with the Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's anti-immigration rhetoric going strong, more challenging days are likely ahead for the Roma communities struggling in Italy. Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Rome.