The international community should renew efforts to fight against the abuse of child soldiers, Austrian Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger has said.

Hate speech is prevalent in Italy where migrants are regularly equated with insecurity, a new report has revealed.

The report on Italy by European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published on 21st February 2012 criticises the discriminatory policies still in force in the country.

The government will most likely approve a Legislative Decree prolonging the validity period of Permits of Stay. The application procedures will also be changed and the use of a new software is expected to make it possible for the applicants to be given appointments with the immigrations office at the time of submitting their applications.

Integration Minister Andrea Riccardi plans to personally visit the immigrant identification and expulsion centres to inspect how they operate.