Italian MPs approved on Wednesday 18 September a ” security package ” This bill, which still has to be voted on in the Senate in second reading, includes anti-terrorist measures. In particular, it introduces a measure nicknamed by the Italian press as ” anti-gandhi rule “, punishing with a prison sentence the blocking of a road or railway. A measure that could target environmental activists. The project also tightens the screws in a number of other areas.
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Currently, in Italy, blocking a road with your body is punishable by a fine. If this bill is approved, the penalty could be up to one month in prison. And if several people get together to block a road or railway, the act will be punishable by 6 months to 2 years in prison.
Alessio Scandurra, from the association for the protection of human rights Antigoneexplains that this reform targets certain demonstrators in particular. It is a form of protest adopted in recent years by environmental activists. “, he said, referring in particular to the actions against the tunnel between Lyon and Turin, including The works had been occupied on numerous occasions by activists opposed to the railway line. “ It is specified that the blockages with its “body“to avoid interfering with other frequent blockades in Italy, such as those of taxi drivers or road hauliers. »
Measure ” anti-youth »
Alessio Scandurra sees this as an anti-youth measure and as a danger. The risk here is that of increasing and unjustified criminalization against forms of peaceful and non-violent protest. “, he fears. “ These kinds of measures make it difficult for a worldwide protest movement because these young people are overwhelmed by criminal proceedings, trials that constitute intimidation, a form of dissuasion from protesting in this way.. »
In this bill, opposing a strategic infrastructure is considered an aggravating factor in the event of threats, violence or resistance to a representative of the State. This includes, in particular, the projects for the bridge between Sicily and the rest of the peninsula, as well as the projects for a very high-speed line.
The bill also tightens the screws in a number of areas. It aims to put an end to the automatic postponement of prison sentences for pregnant women and young mothers, a ban on the sale of SIM cards to undocumented immigrants, as well as measures against prison riots, including, again, against passive resistance.
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