Italian injustice

I read with great interest the incredible story of David Aliaga and the deplorable treatment he received in Italy, first at the University of Calabria and then at the Ministry for Universities and Scientific and Technological Research ( "Fight for doctorate blocked", THES, August 14). The case discredits the entire Italian university system.

As an Italian who is an ex-student of the University of Bari I feel a deep sense of embarrassment and shame that our system may have violated the most elementary human rights of a student who had come to study in our country. I am further concerned that, notwithstanding Mr Aliaga's numerous pleas, neither the ministry nor the University of Calabria has tried to ascertain the legitimacy of his complaint and taken the necessary steps.

The failure to receive a reply from our authorities further aggravates the situation since it denies Mr Aliaga the possibility of discovering the reasons for what happened to him and so denies him the right to justice.

Giuseppina Gatta Bari, Italy