Italy was rocked by protests over the weekend, prompting the government to call for the immediate approval of the controversial Security Bill, a key pledge of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. The bill has divided the opposition, the Council of Europe, and the families of victims of mafia and terrorist attacks.
Protests in Rome and Bologna over the weekend, held in memory of Ramy Elgaml, an Egyptian teenager killed during a police chase in Milan, drew sharp reactions from government leaders. A recently surfaced video of the incident last month shows gendarmes chasing Elgaml and motorbike rider Fares Bouzidi, a Tunisian national. The officers are heard swearing after failing to overturn the motorbike and shouting “fine” when it falls.
Solidarity actions against police violence
The video shows the patrol car crashing into the motorcycle at the end of an eight-kilometre chase, which reportedly began when Elgaml decided to jump a checkpoint because he did not have a valid driving licence. It also shows police officers approaching a witness, possibly implying that he should erase evidence of the fatal accident.
The incident sparked several days of unrest in Corvetto, the working-class neighbourhood where the teenager lived, leaving several policemen injured. Additional clashes occurred during a “solidarity” protest organised by anarchist groups in Turin on Thursday night.
Reactions from the right-wing government: ‘Red criminals’
Meloni described the events as “shameful,” while Defence Minister Giuseppe Crosetto called for legislation to better protect law enforcement officers. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini sharply criticised the protesters, labelling them as “red criminals” who attacked the police.
The bill, already passed by the lower house of parliament, returned to the Senate for debate on Monday. Provisions include harsher penalties for property damage during demonstrations, extended city banning orders for those accused or convicted of protest-related offences, and prison sentences ranging from six months to two years for organising sit-ins that disrupt railways, roads, or motorways.
Right-wing government aims to strengthen law enforcement
The draft law also introduces measures to support law enforcement, such as allowing certain weapons to be carried off-duty without a licence and covering legal costs of up to €10,000 for offences committed in the line of duty. It also criminalises causing bodily harm to an officer or agent on duty.
One of the most contentious aspects of the bill is the extension of powers for the secret services. Under the proposed law, agents could commit certain crimes, including joining or leading terrorist organisations, without accountability if done in the name of national security.
EU and Italian opposition express ‘concerns’
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty criticised the bill in a letter to Senate President Ignazio La Russa on 20 December. O’Flaherty expressed concern that the bill is incompatible with European human rights standards, particularly regarding protesters, detainees, young environmental activists, and migrants.
The letter highlighted vaguely defined offences, such as non-violent protests blocking traffic or passive resistance in prisons and migrant centres, which are punishable by heavy prison sentences. “These provisions risk arbitrary and disproportionate application and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” O’Flaherty warned.
The opposition also condemned the violence, with Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein cautioning against politicising the events. Schlein emphasised the importance of statements made by Ramy’s family, who called for the tragedy not to be exploited.
