European Court Condemns Italy Over Toxic Waste Crisis

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Italy is violating the right to life of nearly three million residents living on contaminated land near Naples. The ruling is part of a long-standing case brought by citizens against the Italian government.

For decades, illegal waste dumping and burning by the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, has occurred in the Campania region of southern Italy, earning the area the nickname Terra dei Fuochi, or the land of fires. The mafia not only burns waste but has also buried barrels of chemical waste, severely contaminating the soil and groundwater.

This has led to serious health issues for local families over generations, with various cancers appearing significantly more frequently than in other parts of the country. The court has given the Italian government two years to address the situation, requiring the establishment of an information platform where residents can access data on pollution levels and associated health risks.

In 2021, the National Health Institute confirmed a causal link between waste burning and numerous illnesses in the region, with breast cancer and leukemia notably more common among children under 14. The ECHR states that authorities have been aware of the issues since 1988 but have failed to take adequate action to assist residents.

The area between Naples and Caserta, where illegal waste burning occurs, has long been under the influence of the Camorra. No previous attempts to resolve the problem have succeeded, and it remains uncertain whether the ruling will change this.

The ECHR asserts that the Italian government must make greater efforts, criticizing the lack of diligence in addressing the severity of the situation.

Source: NOS

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