ROME — On Thursday, a European judicial body ruled that Italy had breached the right to life for those residing in an area near Naples plagued by toxic waste. This decision confirmed the longstanding grievances of local residents who have linked mafia-related waste dumping and incineration to elevated instances of cancer and other health issues.
The European Court of Human Rights issued a ruling that compels the Italian government to formulate a comprehensive plan aimed at examining and managing the contamination in the region known as the Tierra dei Fuochi, or Land of Fires. This area spans 90 municipalities around Caserta and Naples and is home to approximately 2.9 million individuals.
The court highlighted that Italian officials had been aware of the pollution problem, primarily attributed to the mafia groups known as Camorra overseeing waste disposal, since 1988. Yet, they failed to adequately respond or take necessary actions to safeguard the lives of the local populace.
As part of its ruling, the court provided the Italian government a two-year timeframe to establish an information platform that grants residents access to pollution data and the confirmed health risks linked to residing in that area.
Local residents have consistently reported negative health consequences resulting from the waste disposal practices that have contaminated underground wells essential for irrigating farmland in southern and central Italy. Various police operations have revealed alarming levels of toxins like lead, arsenic, and the industrial solvent tetrachlorethylene in irrigation sources across numerous fields.
Officials attribute the pollution crisis to the multi-billion-dollar operations of the Camorra, which disposes of hazardous waste, primarily from northern Italian industries that prioritize cost-effective removal over legal disposal. Over time, former members within these crime groups have disclosed the practices behind this illicit operation, leading law enforcement to specific locations where toxic materials have been disposed of or incinerated.
Despite having launched seven separate parliamentary inquiries into the situation, the court found that an inefficient public administration had failed to systematically tackle the pollution crisis or sufficiently protect the health of residents. The court underscored that the Italian government’s response lacked the requisite urgency, as reflected in their numerous shortcomings in addressing the severity of the issue.
In defense, Italian authorities cited various environmental convictions and ongoing investigations related to health problems. However, the court criticized the government for relying on secrecy and causing significant delays in its response. The court noted a lack of coordination and clarity in responsibilities concerning decontamination efforts in Campania, which complicated efforts to assess the extent of contamination.
The court accepted the residents’ claims of facing serious and tangible threats to their lives, labeling the risk as “imminent.”
Rev. Maurizio Patriciello, who has tirelessly advocated for affected families, expressed that the court’s decision validated their struggle over the years. He reflected on the harsh treatment they faced during their fight, including slander and threats, and recounted the personal toll the environmental devastation took on their community. He also honored those who have succumbed to cancer, including members of his own family, and invoked prayers for affected children and families.
A health survey mandated by parliament in 2016 revealed that residents experienced significantly high rates of cancer and premature death, underscoring the urgent need to address concerning rates of hospitalizations among infants due to tumors, particularly brain-related cases. This investigation, which expanded on a previous study from 2014, attributed these alarming figures to suspected exposure to environmental pollutants released from unregulated hazardous waste disposal and urban waste burning.
This case was initiated at the European Court of Human Rights by 41 residents from the provinces of Caserta and Naples, along with five local organizations advocating for justice and accountability.
