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  • Op-Eds

    Lampedusa: Immigration, the Law, Recriminations

    Judith Harris(October 06, 2013)
    Even as Italian fire fighters brought up more bodies this morning from the moral as well as physical abyss off the isle of Lampedusa, a battle over the Italian law governing immigration rages. Of the over 500 known to have been aboard the ship that burned early Thursday, 143 bodies were recovered while another 220, and possibly more, have been identified inside the sunken ship today. This latest tragedy means that Italy's harsh immigration law is under severe scrutiny.
  • Facts & Stories

    Cécile Kyenge in the Hot Seat

    Judith Harris(June 21, 2013)
    For the past two months of the new government Dr. Cécile Kyenge has held down one of the toughest jobs in Italy. As Minister for Integration she must deal with such contentious issues as citizenship for children born in Italy of immigrant parents. Born in Congo, she came to Italy 30 years ago to study opthamology before entering politics in North Italy. For her pains, she has received death threats and literally obscene invectives. But summer weather is bringing new hordes of clandestine immigrants to the southern isle of Lampedusa, and aggravating an already difficult situation.
  • Facts & Stories

    Female Stars in Letta's Firmament

    Judith Harris(May 05, 2013)
    With seven women, the 21-member cabinet of Premier Enrico Letta vaunts the largest number of women of any Italian government in history. Emma Bonino is Italy's only second female Foreign Minister. Anna Maria Cancellieri holds the delicate post of Justice Minister. Two were born outside of Italy: Minister for Integration Cecile Kyenge was born in the Congo while Josefa Idem, the new Minister for Equal Opportunities, Sports and Youth, was born in Germany and holds 38 medals from world sporting competitions including the Olympics. Here they are, in profile.