The Association of Concerned Nigerians Forum (CNF) has strongly criticised the 60-day suspension of Italian lawyer Francesco Minutillo, who wrote a racial slur on a legal case file.
The group called the punishment too lenient for such a serious offence.
Minutillo, a lawyer from Forlì-Cesena, was disciplined after he wrote “negro” on the edge of a file, replacing the name of a Nigerian defendant in a case. He was representing two police officers injured at Faenza train station.
The incident came to light when Supreme Court judge Roberto Riverso shared a photo of the file on Facebook, covering the names but condemning the act as “a confession of the extraneousness of this subject to the civilization of law. A barbarity.”
The CNF stated that Minutillo’s actions were not just unprofessional but also showed a “blatant disregard for basic human dignity.” They pointed out that this was not his first offence, as he had previously made comments praising Hitler, Mussolini, and racial laws.
The group argued that a 60-day suspension was too mild and failed to send a strong message against racism. They called for harsher penalties, a review of Minutillo’s past behaviour, and mandatory diversity training for legal professionals.
“This punishment is a slap on the wrist for someone with a history of racist views,” the CNF said. They urged Italian legal authorities to take stronger action to prevent discrimination in the justice system.
The CNF, represented by spokespersons Omeliko Mike and Goubadia Patrick, vowed to keep fighting against racism and pushing for fair treatment of all communities.