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Italian Senate Passes Security Decree Tightening Protest, Squatter and Cannabis Laws

Critics warn the law undermines European human rights standards by granting expanded security force powers.

General view from the Gianicolo hill during sunset in Rome, Italy, February 6, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Senate approved the decree on June 4 by a 109-69 vote, finalizing measures proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition.
  • The law criminalizes blocking roads and defacing public property, targeting anti-climate change demonstrations and occupants of social housing.
  • It outlaws the sale of “cannabis light,” a non-psychoactive hemp product, threatening thousands of jobs and millions of euros in local investments.
  • Provisions remove prison exemptions for pregnant women and mothers, impose tougher penalties on protesters who injure officers and allocate up to €10,000 for security force legal fees.
  • Opposition parties and the Council of Europe human rights commissioner warn the decree could breach European standards and erode civil liberties.