CIVICUS is a worldwide union of civil society organizations that aim to advance civil society engagement. The 2024 State of Civil Society Report by CIVICUS documents the global patterns and developments of civic activism recorded in 2023. The report is structured in five sections: Conflict and Crisis: A World in Disarray; Global Governance: Reform Desperately Needed; Climate: Repression as Denial; Democracy: Contested Territory; Gender: Resistance Against Regression, each analyzing civil society action on key themes. This article focuses solely on Italy and the actions of Italian civil society, as reported in the relevant chapters.

Conflict and Crisis: A World in Disarray

Conflict remains a primary driver of migration and displacement. Despite the numerous crises in our increasingly interconnected world, states are in denial, and conditions for migrants and refugees continue to worsen.

As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine entered its third year in February 2024, European countries largely maintained their welcoming stance towards Ukrainian refugees, whose numbers reached 6.3 million by December 2023, with 5.9 million relocating to Europe. However, this response starkly contrasts with the treatment of refugees and displaced people from the Global South, revealing blatant double standards.

A growing trend among European governments is the externalization of migration, with EU member states financially backing less affluent countries to outsource their responsibilities. Italy exemplified this approach in November 2023 by striking a deal with Albania to transfer refugees and migrants attempting to reach Italy via the Mediterranean. In exchange, Italy promised to support Albania's EU accession bid and provide financial aid. Although initially halted by Albania's Constitutional Court, the agreement was reinstated in early 2024.

On a broader picture, as noted in the report, it is seen that the practice of offshoring migration by Italy and its fellow member states, through the instrumentalization of capital power, further creates inequalities in terms of rights for people in different groups, which is a legacy of colonialism. To add to that, political discourse plays an important role in these countries contributing to discrimination against people of color and of various beliefs.

In December 2023, EU member states, including Italy, approved a preliminary migration and asylum pact that envisions increased externalization of migration at EU borders, accelerated deportation processes, and greater state discretion in conducting pushbacks. At the expense of human rights, European states also support the securitization of third-state borders, such as those of Ethiopia and Tunisia.

Given these developments, in which Italy has played a part, EU member states are failing to uphold humanitarian standards for all, highlighting a concerning trend in refugee and migrant treatment.

Climate: Repression as Denial

One of the most alarming current trends is the growing criminalisation of climate activists in European countries that are home to vibrant protest movements. This crackdown stems from activists exposing the discrepancy between political rhetoric and actual implementation of climate policies. As conservative nationalist and populist politicians gain influence, climate activists face attacks and demonization, mirroring the treatment of women's and LGBTQ+ rights advocates. These activists are often falsely accused of being part of a global conspiracy.

In Italy, a notable conflict involves the Last Generation (Ultima Generazione) movement. This group advocates for non-violent resistance, urging the government to reduce unnecessary emissions, promote energy efficiency, increase renewable energy use, and cease funding fossil fuel projects. However, they face state-sanctioned criminalization. The far-right Italian government passed a law stipulating fines and imprisonment for activists who could be deemed to engage in harmful acts towards cultural monuments and sites. 

To counter these power imbalances that undermine sustainability efforts, civil society must mobilize. It's crucial for both states and the private sector to acknowledge people's right to employ all peaceful means of protest. In Italy and beyond, maintaining a free and uncensored civic space is vital for addressing the climate emergency effectively.

Democracy: Contested Territory

In the past year, various EU member states saw the exploitation of culture wars by populist politics to create a deep split in democracy, polarizing the nations for their own benefit. Populist and far-right politicians attacked various issues surrounding democracies and denied such concepts and rights on climate change, gender issues, science, racism, and migration in the rush to consolidate power.

Italy has not been immune to this European political trend. Since 2022, the government under Prime Minister Meloni has been led by the Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, which, as stated in the report, has roots in the neofascist movement.

This trend persisted throughout 2023, with far-right politicians successfully manipulating public concerns during times of economic hardship and societal transformation. Across Europe, these politicians acted in ways that undermined the rights of women, LGBTQI+ individuals, religious minorities, refugees, non-citizens, and civil society rights defenders.

Gender: Resistance Against Regression

In the past year, women's and LGBTQI+ rights faced significant pressure worldwide, with movements increasingly focused on defending existing rights rather than expanding them.

Throughout 2023, numerous women's rights demonstrations were held to protest gender-based violence, advocating for victims and demanding immediate state action. These protests were particularly prominent on key dates in the women's movement calendar: International Women's Day (March 8) addressed gender-based violence alongside other issues, while the Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25) focused exclusively on this problem.

In Italy, demonstrations were marked by the femicide of a 22-year-old university student, Giulia Cecchettin, which happened only days before, on November 18. Feminist groups, as a response to some media outlets portraying her ex-boyfriend in a sympathetic manner, who was the alleged murderer, noted that “femicide is not a crime of passion, it is a crime of power”, according to the report.

Following the incident, on November 22, the Italian legislature adopted a set of measures to further address gender-based violence. Moreover, the Italian Ministry of Education carried out a project as well as awareness programs in schools. 

However, the Italian education minister’s call for a silent tribute in memory of the femicide victim Giulia was received differently by students: they chose to create a moment of noise against violence and femicides. Throughout Italy, major cities held night walks and demonstrations in anger. On the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Italian capital drew 500,000 people for a national demonstration, organized by the Non Una Di Meno collective. Civil society’s perseverance proved successful in 2023 against gender-based violence, as its defense helped serve further awareness from within.