A quote from the BBC, 28 May 2008

Human rights group Amnesty International has said it is extremely alarmed by what it calls a "climate of discrimination" in Italy. […]

Last week, Italy's new centre-right government introduced a series of measures aimed at improving security. Illegal immigration will become punishable by up to four years in prison, it will be easier to expel illegal immigrants and there will be a three-year prison sentence for using minors to beg for money.

But the head of Amnesty International in Italy, Daniela Carboni, said the moves represented "heavy restrictions and new crimes that will target, above all, immigrants". […]

In April's national elections the centre-right coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi – which includes the anti-immigration Northern League and the post-Fascist Alleanza Nazionale – swept to victory, pledging to tackle illegal immigration.