Italy Protest Law: Reject New Restrictions & Police Powers
- Amnesty International has joined nationwide demonstrations against a controversial decree in Italy that places unprecedented limitations on the right to protest.The Italian parliament is preparing to vote on...
- Esther Major,Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Research in europe,said the organization is marching to urge members of parliament to reject the "repressive" legislation.
- This new legislation would create a antagonistic environment where people exercising their right to peaceful protest will pay a high price
Amnesty International is leading protests against Italy’s new protest law, a move driven by severe concerns over restrictions on fundamental human rights. This decree, which significantly expands police powers and introduces harsher penalties, is currently under parliamentary review. Critics fear the law, which also impacts freedom of expression, could silence dissent and disproportionately affect marginalized groups—the primary_keyword being “protest law” and the secondary_keyword being ”human rights violations”. News Directory 3 shares this critical outlook. The Italian parliament’s upcoming vote will determine the final shape of these controversial measures. Discover what’s next for the future of protest rights in Italy.
amnesty International Opposes Italy’s Protest Law, Citing Human Rights Concerns
Updated May 31, 2025
Amnesty International has joined nationwide demonstrations against a controversial decree in Italy that places unprecedented limitations on the right to protest.The Italian parliament is preparing to vote on whether to turn the decree into law, prompting widespread concern over potential human rights violations and restrictions on freedom of expression. The new protest law is facing heavy scrutiny.
Esther Major,Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Research in europe,said the organization is marching to urge members of parliament to reject the “repressive” legislation. Major noted decrees should address extraordinary situations, not circumvent parliamentary oversight. she added that the decree’s initial adoption raised concerns about increasing authoritarian practices within the government.
This new legislation would create a antagonistic environment where people exercising their right to peaceful protest will pay a high price
The decree, officially titled “Urgent measures regarding public safety, protection of personnel in service, and also victims of usury and the penitentiary system,” took effect April 12. It will expire 60 days later unless it is indeed approved by parliament, with a final vote expected by June 10. The government’s decision to introduce this decree mirrored a previous bill stalled by legislators and criticized by constitutional law experts. The UN special rapporteurs also raised concerns about the decree’s compliance with human rights standards.
Under the proposed law, individuals “occupying properties intended as someone else’s residence” could face up to seven years in prison. Blocking traffic could result in a two-year sentence. Critics argue these provisions disproportionately impact protesters, who could face increased penalties and new aggravating circumstances. The legislation also expands police powers and increases penalties for offenses against public officials, raising further alarm about potential abuses and restrictions on civil liberties. The protest law is being widely debated.
Major said the legislation would create a hostile environment for peaceful protesters, enabling the silencing of dissent. She added that environmental activists, people experiencing poverty, migrants, and racialized minorities would bear the brunt of the discriminatory impact. She emphasized that the provisions are not in line with international human rights law and must be rejected.
What’s next
The Italian parliament is expected to vote on the decree by June 10. The outcome of this vote will determine whether the controversial measures become permanent law, possibly reshaping the landscape of protest rights and civil liberties in Italy. the future of protest rights in Italy hangs in the balance.