ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, 2014 SESSION OF THE HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS SEGMENT, 25 JUNE 2014.
On 25 June 2014, at the general debate of the Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Italy delivered a national statement. After aligning itself with the one made by Greece on behalf of the European Union, Italy expressed its wish to add some remarks:
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, XVII LEGISLATURE, 251st MEETING, 24 JUNE 2014.
On 24 June 2014, the President of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Matteo Renzi, delivered a speech before the Chamber of Deputies on the upcoming Italian Presidency of the EU Council. In his speech, Mr. Renzi focused on some aspects of the role of Italy in the framework of the new European semester and gave a hint of the position of Italy on certain topics such as the appointment of the President of the Commission, the management of migratory flows and the situation of the European economy.
SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC, XVII LEGISLATURE, 264th MEETING, 19 JUNE 2014
On 19 June 2014, the Undersecretary of State for Defence, Mr. Gioacchino Alfano, expressed the position of the Government on the project concerning the realization of the MUOS communication system in Niscemi, Sicily. The Minister of Defence had previously intervened, at that time before the Chamber of Deputies, on the same issues. In his statement, the Undersecretary highlighted that the MUOS project finds its foundation directly in the NATO treaties and subsequent agreements intervening thereon.
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, 26th SESSION, HIGH COMMISSIONER ANNUAL REPORT, 10 JUNE 2014.
On 10 June 2014, the Permanent Representative of Italy at the Human Rights Council, Amb. Maurizio Enrico Serra, delivered a speech on the priorities of Italy in the area of human rights protection, both within the Human Rights Council and the European Union, in view of the upcoming Italian Presidency of the EU Council. The Ambassador said that Italy is determined to fight against death penalty, female genital mutilations, forced child marriage and against serious violations of human rights taking place in countries such as Syria and South Sudan. He said:
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, 26th SESSION, INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE PROMOTION OF THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OPINION, 10 JUNE 2014.
On 29 April 2014, the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression published a report on the situation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in Italy. In the report, he pointed out some concerns regarding the compliance of the national legal framework with the relevant international standards. On 10 June 2014, the Italian Representative considered some of the shortcomings mentioned in the report, e.g. the issues of defamation, conflict of interest, anti-trust regulation, and hate speech. He said:
UNITED NATIONS (NEW YORK), 7th SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, 10 JUNE 2014.
On 10 June 2014, at the 7th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Alfredo Ferrante of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies reported about the state of the art in the implementation of the Convention by Italy. After having highlighted the alignment of Italy with the position of the European Union on the matter, and stressed the importance of the empowerment of persons with disabilities for the attainment of an inclusive society, he illustrated the steps taken by his Country:
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, XVII LEGISLATURE, 213th MEETING, 16 APRIL 2014.
On 16 April 2014, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Angelino Alfano, made a statement before the Chamber of Deputies in which he addressed the issue of migratory flows and asylum applications. The Minister urged the EU to give a joint response to the phenomenon of migration, in particular by reforming Council Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003 of 18 February 2003, also known as Dublin II Regulation, and allowing asylum seekers to move within the whole Europe. Mr. Alfano had previously intervened before the Chamber on the same issues.
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES AND SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC, 3rd JOINT COMMISSION, XVII LEGISLATURE, 3 APRIL 2014.
On 3 April 2014, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Federica Mogherini, has illustrated the programme of the Government with respect to the priorities of Italy in its international relations. Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Balkans are the areas that Italy focuses on.
SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC, XVII LEGISLATURE, 223rd AND 224th MEETINGS, 3 APRIL 2014.
In the framework of a discussion about some motions that promoted initiatives in favour of the Sahrawi people, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pistelli, intervened to clarify the Italian position. The Undersecretary renewed the country’s support to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (UN MINURSO) and called for a continued bilateral and reinforced multilateral – and EU led – cooperation to solve the conflict.
He stated:
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, XVII LEGISLATURE, 175th MEETING, 17 FEBRUARY 2014.
On 17 February 2014 the Minister of Defence, Mr. Mario Mauro, reported in writing to the Chamber of Deputies on a request for information concerning the types of nuclear weapons stored in Italy, their location and the compatibility between such practice and the obligations deriving from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to which Italy is a party. Minister Mauro stated the following:
Italy's Diplomatic and Parliamentary Practice on International Law 