CIVICUS discusses Italy’s new anti-protest law with Erasmo Palazzotto, activist and member of ARCI, a civil society organisation (CSO) that promotes democracy, active citizenship and human rights.
Italy’s far-right government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is pushing through a repressive security law that seeks to criminalise peaceful protests such as road blockades with prison sentences of up to two years. The bill also includes restrictions on migrants’ access to SIM cards, a ban on light cannabis and a measure for the voluntary chemical castration of convicted rapists. It was passed by parliament’s lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, in September and now awaits Senate approval.
