As noted in the earlier news update, H.E. Mr. Vincenzo Grassi, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Italy to UNOG and H.E. Mr. Giorgio Silli, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, led the Italiana delegation on 20th January 2025 for its fourth cycle as State under review at the 48th session of the UN Universal Periodic Review. These proceedings were held at the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room (formerly Room XX) of the Palais des Nations, Geneva. During the session, 123 States presented over 300 recommendations, commendations and observations of the Human Rights situation in the state of Italy. 

The Pre-Session

In the lead up to the Session, INGOs, NGOs and other stakeholders submitted their observations, assessments and recommendations. These recommendations are collated in a comprehensive document [A/HRC/WG.6/48/ITA/3] published on the UPR document database and available for perusal. This document is organised effectively by laying out the scope of international obligations and cooperation with human rights mechanisms as perceived in the context of Italian Human Rights commitments, their National Human Rights framework observations followed by a comprehensive list of 90 observations and concerns that the stakeholder organisations presented in their submissions. 

The UPR pre-sessions, set up since the beginning of the second cycle in 2012 by the NGO ‘UPR Info’, allow the civil society organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders to have an international platform through which they can follow up on previous commitments by the State and inform the representatives of the recommending States about the human rights situation in the State under review (SuR) before the UPR. The concerns presented by the CSOs highlight issues regarding Equality and non-discrimination violations; lapses in the administration of justice, including impunity, and the rule of law; undue restrictions of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and participation in public and political life; challenges in upholding privacy safeguards in the collection of data; concerns about growing labour exploitations and lack of just and favourable conditions of work especially for minority and the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings raised concerns about the rise in trafficking challenges faced by migrant populations. 

While many of these observations have been weathered with the observation of COVID-19 restrictions and challenges, the stakeholders report list the right to an adequate standard of housing as being one of the human rights concerns that are seen as being gravely affected. Some of the other concerns raised by the stakeholders include challenges of people in accessing their right to education, health, and the rights of specific groups, namely, the Roma and Sinti minorities. The alarming rise in violations of womens and childrens rights especially in the rise of incidences of violence against women in all walks of life. The recalled violations of the rights of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and minority groups such as the Roma and Sinti populations remain issues not addressed, if not exacerbated, since Italy's latest UPR review.

The National Report on the status of Human Rights in Italy, as submitted by the state representatives prior to the 48th Session of UPR is available for general perusal at A/HRC/WG.6/48/ITA/1. This document outlines the steps taken and the progress made by the Italian government and civil society in promoting human rights in the state and it also outlines the progress made in addressing the recommendations and commitments accepted from the third cycle of UPR. For an extensive review of the persistent themes and challenges of human rights in Italy, this article provides an expert review of the Italian case up to the third cycle of the UPR.

Italy presents the National Report 

The Italian delegation was presented by H.E. Mr. Vincenzo Grassi, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Italy to UNOG. The national report was presented by H.E. Mr. Giorgio Silli, Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. During the presentation of the report Italy revised the changes that accrued to the country and internationally in the field of human rights since the interactive dialogue of the 3d cycle, held in November 2019. The delegation put their primary focus on family as it is the center of Italy's budget policies to support large families, promote women's employment.

In particular, Italy presented two voluntary national reviews to the UN forum on sustainable development 2024 with active participation of its institutions. 

In regard to promoting and protecting the rights of elderly the legislative reform to promote dignity and autonomy, social participation, active aging and prevention of fragility of elderly was adopted. The national fund for family policies was established to promote measures on active aging. Legislative decree 29 of 2024 entrusted the department for family policies with the primary role including contribution to the elaboration of the plan for active aging. 

Regarding persons with disabilities Italy has begun an important reform based on the 2006 Convention ensuring participation of persons with disabilities and introducing a new definition of people with disabilities. 

Italy has developed a 2021-2030 national strategy for equality and inclusive participation of the Roma and Sintis through a broad consultation process, focusing on housing, healthcare and work.

In response to observations of gender based violence, the Italian delegation mentioned existing national guidelines supporting women. Italy's department of equal opportunities devising a new strategic plan on violence against women and domestic violence. On the rights of LGBT delegations mention the drafting strategy 2022-2025 which includes a dialogue with 66 associations through the consultation table. Law 77 of 2020 provides for creating centers against discrimination based on sexual orientation. To promote women's rights, Italy has been developing a gender equality strategy 2021-2027 to lead governmental actions in gender mainstreaming. 

On protection of refugees international protection laws are missing but they claim that Italian law allows grand specific consultation and non-refoulement to the refugees. Special protection with support by NGOs Italy is engaged in fighting with trafficking through partnerships and it allowed to reduce immediate departures by sea by 60 percent and invested to develop safe pathways for migration. Decree law 145 of 2024 introduced special residence permits for foreign workers that are the victims of illicit intermediation. On foreign policy, Italy introduced the Mattei plan to establish partnership with African countries on economic, social and cultural levels. 

About media freedom, the delegation noted the Article 21 of the Italian constitution which promotes media independence and protects journalists. The 2024 budget law fund for pluralism digital innovation; adopted legislation for establishing an NHRI as an ongoing effort and highlighted that five draft laws are in progress in this regard. Meanwhile the Comitato Interministeriale per i Diritti Umani (CIDU) acts as a coordinating body gathering central and local authorities. 

Observations on Human Rights in italy 

During the session of UPR italy received 340 recommendations. The most notable recommendations were concerning women’s rights, delegations recommended italy to include the definition of femicide and rape in its legislation and develop new strategic plan to eliminate gender based violence (Norway, Paraguay, Gabon, Moldova) and promote same sex marriage rights (France, The Netherlands, Portugal Iceland). Several countries recommended to ensure women have access to sexual, reproductive services (Iceland, Portugal, Norway). To ensure human rights protection it was recommended to expedite efforts to establish NHRI (Greece, India, Iraq, Malaysia Gambia). On the protection of refugees rights several delegations recommended to improve the condition for the reception treatment and integration of migrants and refugees, ensuring that all refugees have access to effective anti discrimination measures in particular in the areas of housing (New Zealand, Pakistan Kenya). Roma and Sinti minority rights were only mentioned by delegates from Iran and India. The most repeated recommendation concerned the investigation of the trafficking of human beings (Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Peru, Morocco, Nigeria). 

Fig. 1 Pie chart of the distribution of topics covered during the UPR session recommendations that were addressed to Italy.

The adoption of the Troika report and the following review phase can be monitored at this UPR Country page.