{"id":21155,"date":"2023-09-14T08:29:22","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T08:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laweuro.com\/?p=21155"},"modified":"2023-09-14T08:29:22","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T08:29:22","slug":"case-of-diakite-v-italy-44646-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laweuro.com\/?p=21155","title":{"rendered":"CASE OF DIAKIT\u00c8 v. ITALY – 44646\/17"},"content":{"rendered":"

The case concerns the material conditions of stay of the applicant, a minor migrant, in the Red Cross adults\u2019 reception centre in Rome, Via Ramazzini, as well as the lack of application in his case of the procedural guarantees set up for minor migrants.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

FIFTH SECTION
\nCASE OF DIAKIT\u00c8 v. ITALY<\/strong>
\n(Application no. 44646\/17)<\/em>
\nJUDGMENT
\nSTRASBOURG
\n14 September 2023<\/p>\n

This judgment is final but it may be subject to editorial revision.<\/p>\n

In the case of Diakit\u00e8 v. Italy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

The European Court of Human Rights (Fifth Section), sitting as a Committee composed of:
\nSt\u00e9phanie Mourou-Vikstr\u00f6m, President,
\nLado Chanturia,
\nMattias Guyomar, judges,
\nand Sophie Piquet, Acting Deputy Section Registrar,<\/p>\n

Having regard to:<\/p>\n

the application (no. 44646\/17) against the Italian Republic lodged with the Court under Article 34 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (\u201cthe Convention\u201d) on 23 June 2017 by an Ivorian national, Mr Salimou Diakit\u00e8, born in 1999 and living in Rome. (\u201cthe applicant\u201d) who was represented by Mr Salvatore Fachile, a lawyer practising in Rome;
\nthe decision to give notice of the application to the Italian Government (\u201cthe Government\u201d), represented by their Agent, Mr\u00a0Lorenzo D\u2019Ascia;
\nthe parties\u2019 observations;
\nHaving deliberated in private on 12\u00a0July 2023,
\nDelivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date:<\/p>\n

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASE<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The case concerns the material conditions of stay of the applicant, a minor migrant, in the Red Cross adults\u2019 reception centre in Rome, Via Ramazzini, as well as the lack of application in his case of the procedural guarantees set up for minor migrants.<\/p>\n

I. The applicant\u2019s arrival in Italy and his age assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. On 29\u00a0January 2017 the applicant reached Italy aboard a makeshift vessel. He was then transferred to the hotspot at Trapani. Since his arrival, he declared to the authorities that he was a minor and submitted a birth certificate showing his birthdate as being 19\u00a0December 1999. A healthcare card was attributed to him, stating his minor age.<\/p>\n

3. On 2\u00a0February 2017 the applicant underwent a medical examination to determine his age. The corresponding medical report stated that his bone age, as evaluated by X-ray examinations of his left wrist and hand, was compatible with that of a person aged at least eighteen. Therefore, on 7\u00a0February 2017 the applicant was transferred to the Red Cross adults\u2019 reception centre in Rome, Via Ramazzini.<\/p>\n

4. It appears from the case file that, during his stay in the said centre, the applicant formed close ties with the educators of the association Laboratorio\u00a053 as well as with his teachers in the framework of the Italian language classes that he attended.<\/p>\n

5. The applicant\u2019s teachers, having realised that he was a minor after he had shown them his birth certificate, encouraged him to talk about his minor status and put him in contact with the lawyer who subsequently filed the present application with the Court.<\/p>\n

6. On 19\u00a0June 2017 the applicant\u2019s representative sent a request to different institutions, including the Public Prosecutor of the Juvenile Court, the Directorate General of Immigration and the Director of the Red Cross Centre where the applicant was hosted, asking that the applicant be transferred to a reception centre dedicated to minors.<\/p>\n

7. On the following day the applicant was transferred to the minor reception centre \u201cVilla Spada\u201d, in Rome. On 30\u00a0June 2017 he underwent a medical visit which showed that his age was between seventeen and eighteen years old. Considering the margin of error, the applicant was then deemed to be a minor.<\/p>\n

8. On 1\u00a0July 2017 the applicant was transferred to a minor First Aid Centre in Pomezia and on 13\u00a0August 2017 to another minor centre in Rome.<\/p>\n

9. On 17\u00a0July 2017 a guardian was appointed. In the meantime, the procedure for the applicant\u2019s asylum request was initiated and the applicant was eventually granted asylum.<\/p>\n

II. The material conditions of stay in the Red Cross adults\u2019 reception Centre in Rome, Via Ramazzini<\/strong><\/p>\n

10. The Red Cross adults\u2019 reception centre in Rome, Via Ramazzini, opened in June 2016 as an emergency provisional reception centre meant to face the massive arrival of migrants in Italy during that period. The aim of the centre was to host migrants for a short period of time, waiting for them to be dispatched to other facilities. The centre consisted of two blocks of tents hosting men and one fixed structure dedicated to women and their children. The centre had a capacity of 400 people; it was eventually closed in September 2017.<\/p>\n

11. A report by the association \u201cOsservatorio Accoglienza Casa dei Venti\u201d of 9 February 2017, provided by the applicant, related that the asylum seekers interviewed for the purpose of the report declared that the tents were cold during winter. The sanitary facilities consisted of 13\u00a0toilets and 15\u00a0showers for 380 individuals at the time. The guests indicated that the services were often broken, or that they were so dirty they were unusable. Warm water supplies were not sufficient to cover everyone\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n

12. Although the \u201chub\u201d was not intended for unaccompanied minors, the persons interviewed reported that numerous such minors had been hosted in the centre, some of them for a month and, in certain cases, for three to four months. The manager of the structure indicated that the prefecture sometimes wrongly sent unaccompanied minors to that facility and that they were quickly transferred to dedicated centres within a few days. The migrants also stated that the food was of poor quality and often cold. The report indicated that access to legal information in the centre, in particular regarding asylum requests, was insufficient.<\/p>\n

13. In addition to this report, a press article of 10\u00a0February 2017 provided by the applicant quoted the director of the Red Cross who expressed hope that the Centre of Via Ramazzini would close soon, as it was not providing decent reception conditions for migrants. The centre was supposed to close in December 2016 and the director expressed his fear that the centre would remain open regardless.<\/p>\n

14. A second article provided by the applicant, dated 14\u00a0February 2017, stated that a violent fight between migrants for unspecified reasons of cohabitation took place in the centre and required the intervention of several police patrols. The article indicated also that this was one of numerous fights which took place in the centre during that period.<\/p>\n

15. Moreover, during an interview with the educators on 21\u00a0June 2017, namely the day after the applicant\u2019s transfer from Via Ramazzini, the\u00a0applicant indicated that the conditions of stay in the Red Cross centre were particularly harsh, due to the poor quality of food, the absence of personal space and the cohabitation with the numerous guests. He declared that, in order to avoid conflict with the centre\u2019s operators, he refused several times to take part in the protests concerning the centre\u2019s conditions organised by groups of adult migrants.<\/p>\n

THE COURT\u2019S ASSESSMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

I. ALLEGED VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 8 OF THE CONVENTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

16. Relying on Article\u00a08 of the Convention, the applicant complained of a breach of his right to respect for his private life on the grounds of the competent authorities\u2019 failure to recognise his status of unaccompanied minor and their lack of a prompt appointment of a legal guardian.<\/p>\n

17. The Government replied that, at his arrival at the Centre of Via Ramazzini, the applicant\u2019s presence was signalled to the police headquarters.<\/p>\n

18. They recognised that, as an unaccompanied minor, the\u00a0applicant should have been transferred to an ad hoc centre immediately. However, due to the emergency situation at the time, the policy of the Red Cross was to receive any migrant reaching the centre from the harbours\u2019 regions.<\/p>\n

19. The Court notes that this complaint is not manifestly ill-founded within the meaning of Article\u00a035 \u00a7\u00a03\u00a0(a) of the Convention or inadmissible on any other grounds. It must therefore be declared admissible.<\/p>\n

20. The general principles concerning the procedural guarantees applicable to minor migrants have been summarized in the case Darboe and\u00a0Camara v. Italy (no.\u00a05797\/17, \u00a7\u00a7 128 and 151-157).<\/p>\n

21. The Court finds that, at the time of the facts of the case, these safeguards clearly included, under both domestic and EU law, the appointment of a legal representative or guardian, access to a lawyer and informed participation in the age-assessment procedure of the person whose age was in doubt.<\/p>\n

22. In the present case, the Court recognises that the applicant was firstly placed in an adult centre on the basis of an X-ray evaluation which showed that he was at least eighteen and that he was transferred to a centre dedicated to minors immediately after his representative\u2019s relevant request (see paragraphs\u00a03 and\u00a07 above). Nonetheless, the Court cannot but note that, at his arrival, the applicant submitted to the authorities a birth certificate showing his minor age and he did not benefit from the minimum procedural guarantees. In this context, the Court also highlights that the principle of presumption of minor age is an inherent element of the protection of the right to respect for private life of a foreign unaccompanied individual declaring to be a minor.<\/p>\n

23. In these circumstances, the Court concludes that the authorities did not act with reasonable diligence and therefore did not comply with their positive obligation to ensure the applicant\u2019s right to respect for his private life in the present case. There has accordingly been a violation of Article\u00a08 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

II. ALLEGED VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 5 \u00a7 1 OF THE CONVENTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

24. Invoking Article\u00a05 \u00a7\u00a01 of the Convention, the applicant complained that he was detained without legal basis during his stay in the centre \u201cVilla Spada\u201d waiting for his age assessment to be carried out.<\/p>\n

25. The Government replied that the purpose of the applicant\u2019s detention in the centre \u201cVilla Spada\u201d during that period was to ensure his security as a minor. They also pointed out that the detention lasted for a short period, with a view to determining the applicant\u2019s age and transferring him to a facility for minors.<\/p>\n

26. The Court finds that the essence of the applicant\u2019s complaint relates to the fact that a guardian had not yet been appointed during his stay in Villa Spada, and his age assessment procedure. Being master of the characterisation to be given in law to the facts of the case (see Radomilja and\u00a0Others v.\u00a0Croatia\u00a0[GC], nos.\u00a037685\/10\u00a0and\u00a022768\/12, \u00a7\u00a0114, 20\u00a0March 2018), the Court will thus examine the complaint from the standpoint of Article\u00a08 alone. Taking into account its conclusion under the said provision, the Court concludes that there is no need to examine separately this part of the application.<\/p>\n

III. ALLEGED VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 3 OF THE CONVENTION and of article 13 OF THE CONVENTION in conjunction with article 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

27. Under Article\u00a03 of the Convention, the applicant also complained of his reception conditions in the Red Cross centre. He alleged that the facility, only intended for adults, had been overcrowded and that the conditions were unhealthy.<\/p>\n

28. The applicant explained that migrants were hosted in tents where minors and adults shared the same space. He complained of the lack of basic facilities such as proper heating, a sufficient number of toilets and showers, as well as an adequate place to eat. Moreover, psychological and legal assistance were lacking, and mediators and interpreters were understaffed.<\/p>\n

29. The applicant also alleged that he did not receive legal information with regards to international protection and he complained of the lack of staff in order to ensure his personal security and prevent possible sexual abuse or other risks for minors.<\/p>\n

30. Under Article\u00a013 of the Convention, he further complained of the lack of internal effective remedies to raise his allegations in this regard.<\/p>\n

31. The Government pointed out that the applicant\u2019s conditions of stay were acceptable. The staff consisted of two operators for fifty migrants during the day and one operator for thirty migrants during the night. The guests were provided with a telephone card and products for personal hygiene. The Government also contested the content of the report of the association \u201cCasa dei Venti\u201d considering that it was of a general nature and that the persons interviewed remained anonymous.<\/p>\n

32. With regard to the applicant\u2019s complaint under Article\u00a013 of the\u00a0Convention, the Government replied that the applicant had the possibility of raising his complaints through his guardian, pursuant to Article\u00a019 paragraph\u00a05 of the Law Decree no.\u00a0142 of 2015<\/p>\n

33. The Court would reiterate that ill-treatment must attain a minimum level of severity if it is to fall within the scope of Article\u00a03. The assessment of that level is relative and depends on all the circumstances of the case, principally the duration of the treatment, its physical or mental effects and, in some cases, the sex, age and state of health of the victim (see Khlaifia and\u00a0Others v. Italy [GC], no.\u00a016483\/12, \u00a7\u00a0159, 15\u00a0December 2016).<\/p>\n

34. In the circumstances of the present case, the Court is sensitive to the applicant\u2019s arguments, supported by pieces of evidence, that his conditions of stay in the red Cross Centre were far from being ideal. Nonetheless, the Court is of the view that the conditions described by the applicant, who did not claim having been unable to cater for his most basic needs, such as food, hygiene and shelter (see M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece [GC], no. 30696\/09, \u00a7 253, ECHR 2011 and Sufi and Elmi v. the United Kingdom, nos. 8319\/07 and\u00a011449\/07, \u00a7 283, 28\u00a0June 2011) were not of such nature that the level of severity required for it to fall within Article\u00a03 of the Convention has been reached.<\/p>\n

35. In addition, with regards to the applicant\u2019s allegation that he did not benefit from psychological assistance, emphasis should be placed on the fact that, during his stay in the Red Cross Centre, the applicant formed close ties with his educators and teachers. Moreover, the applicant\u2019s request to be transferred to a reception centre dedicated to minors was dealt with and allowed with no delay.<\/p>\n

36. It follows that this part of the application must be rejected as manifestly ill-founded under Article\u00a035 \u00a7\u00a7\u00a03 and 4 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

37. Concerning the applicant\u2019s allegation that Article\u00a013 of the Convention has been breached, the Court will confine itself to noting that, according to its standing case-law, Article\u00a013 requires a remedy in domestic law to be available in respect only of such grievances as are \u201carguable\u201d in terms of the Convention (see, among many other authorities,\u00a0Boyle and Rice v.\u00a0the United Kingdom, 27 April 1988, \u00a7\u00a052, Series A no.\u00a0131). In view of its findings above, the Court does not consider that an arguable claim has been established under Article\u00a03 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

38. Consequently\u00a0this complaint too is manifestly ill-founded and must be rejected, pursuant to Article\u00a035 \u00a7\u00a7\u00a03 and of the Convention.<\/p>\n

IV. ALLEGED VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 2 of protocol 1 to the convention<\/strong><\/p>\n

39. The applicant complained that he was not schooled during his stay and that he solely participated in Italian classes and extra scholastic activities organised by a private association.<\/p>\n

40. The Government replied that the applicant could benefit from an educational programme, attend an Italian language course and extra scholastic activities. In July 2017 he was registered in middle school for the academic year 2017\/18.<\/p>\n

41. The Court has examined that part of the application and considers that, in the light of all the material in its possession and in so far as the matters complained of are within its competence, this complaint is manifestly ill\u2011founded under Article 35 \u00a7\u00a7 3 and 4 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

42. It follows that this complaint must be rejected in accordance with Article\u00a035 \u00a7\u00a04 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 41 OF THE CONVENTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

43. The applicant claimed 30,000 euros (EUR) in respect of non\u2011pecuniary damage and EUR\u00a010,584.85 in respect of costs and expenses incurred before the Court.<\/p>\n

44. The Government opposed these claims.<\/p>\n

45. The Court awards the applicant EUR\u00a05,000 in respect of non\u2011pecuniary damage, plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicant.<\/p>\n

46. Having regard to the documents in its possession, the Court considers it reasonable to award EUR\u00a04,000 for costs and expenses for the proceedings before the Court, plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicant.<\/p>\n

FOR THESE REASONS, THE COURT, UNANIMOUSLY,<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Declares the complaints concerning Article 8 of the Convention admissible and the remainder of the application inadmissible;<\/p>\n

2. Holds that there has been a violation of Article 8 of the Convention;<\/p>\n

3. Holds that there is no need to examine the admissibility and merits of the complaint under Article\u00a05 \u00a7 1 of the Convention;<\/p>\n

4. Holds<\/p>\n

(a) that the respondent State is to pay the applicant, within three months, the following amounts:<\/p>\n

(i) EUR\u00a05,000 (five thousand euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;<\/p>\n

(ii) EUR\u00a04,000 (four thousand euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicant, in respect of costs and expenses;<\/p>\n

(b) that from the expiry of the above-mentioned three months until settlement simple interest shall be payable on the above amounts at a rate equal to the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank during the default period plus three percentage points;<\/p>\n

5. Dismisses the remainder of the applicant\u2019s claim for just satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Done in English, and notified in writing on 14\u00a0September 2023, pursuant to Rule\u00a077\u00a0\u00a7\u00a7\u00a02 and 3 of the Rules of Court.<\/p>\n

Sophie Piquet\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St\u00e9phanie Mourou-Vikstr\u00f6m
\nActing Deputy Registrar\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 President<\/p>\n

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The case concerns the material conditions of stay of the applicant, a minor migrant, in the Red Cross adults\u2019 reception centre in Rome, Via Ramazzini, as well as the lack of application in his case of the procedural guarantees set…<\/p>\n

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