Italy's inclusion in the March 2025 CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist has raised significant concerns about the nation's commitment to civic freedoms. Central to these apprehensions is the proposed “anti-Gandhi bill” (Bill 1236, also known as "security bill"). The bill restricts freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.

The bill, which passed Italy’s lower house in September 2024 and is now awaiting Senate approval, introduces new criminal offenses and harsher penalties under the guise of public security. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the UN Special Rapporteurs, have condemned it as one of the most severe threats to protest rights in decades.

Among its most controversial provisions, peaceful protesters opposing infrastructure projects could face up to seven years in prison. Those accused of resisting or assaulting public officials while preventing the construction of public works could be sentenced to up to 20 years. Critics argue these measures disproportionately target activists and dissenters, effectively criminalizing peaceful demonstrations.

Martina Corti from SOLIDAR (SOLIDAR voices the concerns of its member organisations in the EU and international institutions in the sectors of social affairs policy, international cooperation and lifelong learning) warned that the bill could erode democracy, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as undocumented migrants, ethnic minorities, and the homeless.

In reaction to the proposed legislation, Italy has witnessed significant mobilization from civil society. A broad coalition encompassing associations, trade unions, political parties, and various collectives has organized protests, with hundreds of thousands participating in demonstrations opposing the bill. Legal organizations are preparing to challenge the bill's constitutionality should it be enacted. Carlo Testini from ARCI, Italy's largest civil society network, expressed hope that this collective pressure will prompt the government to reconsider and amend the bill's most restrictive provisions.

The apprehensions surrounding the bill are underscored by recent incidents involving activists and journalists. In January 2025, police detained 22 activists for seven hours following a peaceful protest against Italy's arms sales to Israel, denying them access to legal counsel or family contact. Additionally, seven female activists were subjected to invasive searches, ordered to undress in view of passers-by. Such actions have been perceived as attempts to intimidate and suppress dissenting voices. Journalists have also faced growing pressure. In February, investigative reporter Francesco Cancellato was detained and interrogated over his coverage of government affairs, raising alarms about press freedom. These incidents reflect an increasingly hostile environment for those who challenge the government.

Italy’s inclusion on the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist signals a worrying shift in its democratic trajectory. Tara Petrović, CIVICUS Researcher for Europe and Central Asia, characterized the bill as a direct assault on the fundamental freedom to engage in peaceful, non-violent protest, further noting the growing threats to peaceful assembly rights across Europe.