ROME—Italian authorities have started fingerprinting tens of thousands of Gypsies living in nomad camps across the country—adults and children alike—brushing aside accusations of racism by human rights advocates and international organizations.

Interior Minister Roberto Maroni told parliament this week the move was needed to fight crime and identify illegal immigrants for expulsion, but also to improve the lives of those legally living in the makeshift, often unsanitary camps.

“We intend to make a census to see who lives in Gypsy camps, who has a right to stay... Those who don’t have a right to stay will be repatriated,” he said.

More than 700 encampments have been built, mainly around Rome, Milan and Naples, populated almost entirely by Gypsies, also known as Roma.

The measure by Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s government, part of the government’s crackdown on street crime, has provoked a storm of protests at home and abroad. Officials have spoken recently of a “Roma emergency”, blaming them for rising crime.

The Interior Ministry said prints will only be taken from people who do not have a valid document, which would exempt Gypsies who come from EU member Romania. Maroni contended the fingerprinting would be especially beneficial to Roma children whose parents send them to beg or steal instead of going to school. He said those children will be removed from their parents’ custody.