European court finds Italy violated the right to life of Naples residents

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🗞️ Driving the news: The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Italy violated the right to life of residents in the "Land of Fires," a toxic-waste-polluted area near Naples
• The court found that Italian authorities knew about the pollution since 1988 but failed to take necessary action
• Italy has been ordered to implement a strategy to address contamination and create a public information platform

🔭 The context: The pollution is linked to the Camorra mafia's illegal waste disposal racket, which buried and burned toxic waste from northern industries
• Authorities repeatedly investigated but failed to take systematic action
• Contaminated irrigation wells led to high levels of toxic chemicals in farmland that supplies much of central and southern Italy

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The ruling underscores the deadly impact of unchecked pollution and the failure of governments to protect citizens from environmental hazards
• Toxic waste disposal has led to increased cancer rates and poisoned vital agricultural land
It highlights the need for stronger environmental policies and enforcement to prevent further harm

⏭️ What's next: Italy has two years to establish a public platform providing pollution and health risk data
• The government must implement a comprehensive decontamination plan and improve coordination among agencies
• The ruling sets a precedent for future environmental justice cases in Europe.

💬 One quote: “The Italian State had not done all that was required of it to protect the applicants’ lives.” – European Court of Human Rights ruling

📈 One stat: A 2016 health survey found “excessive” rates of tumors in infants, especially brain tumors, due to exposure to environmental contaminants

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