Italy: UN experts concerned by administrative enactment of problematic security bill

GENEVA – UN experts* today called on the Italian Government to rescind the decree adopted abruptly on 4 April to enact a security bill that was being discussed and criticised in the Senate, which includes provisions that are not aligned with international human rights law.

“We are alarmed by how the government transformed the bill into an emergency decree that was swiftly approved by the Council of Ministers bypassing Parliament and public scrutiny,” the experts said.

The bill was presented by the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defense and sought to amend several legislative provisions, including the Criminal Code.

The experts contacted the Italian Government in December 2024 (OL ITA 7.2024) indicating that if the proposed bill were not amended, Italy would be at odds with its obligations under international human rights law, including to protect the rights to freedom of movement, to privacy, to a fair trial, and to liberty, and to protect against arbitrary detention.

“The bill that is now a ‘decree’ includes vague definitions and broad provisions related to terrorism that could lead to arbitrary enforcement,” the experts warned. “The decree will also put freedom of expression at risk and may disproportionately affect specific groups, including racial or ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees, potentially leading to discrimination and human rights violations.”

Provisions of the decree appear to limit the ability for individuals, including human rights defenders, to assemble peacefully for protests and demonstrations, and its vague phrasing could result in arbitrary prosecutions and harsh penalties with unduly severe consequences for people exercising their rights, the experts said.

“As people have taken to the streets to protest against the security bill, the Italian Government must respect and protect the right to peaceful assembly and avoid undue restrictions, illegal dispersals and use of force,” the experts said.