Italy
As of February 2026, Italy is a key player in the European Union’s human rights debate, specifically concerning the "externalization" of asylum and the limits of media freedom. While Italy was recently re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council (2026–2028), international observers have raised significant concerns regarding the government’s migration protocols and the "politicization" of public discourse.
The following are the primary human rights issues in Italy today:
1. Externalization of Migration: The Albania Protocol
The most significant development in Italian human rights policy is the Italy-Albania Protocol, which became fully operational in 2025.
Offshore Processing: Italy has begun processing asylum claims for male migrants from "safe" countries in facilities on Albanian soil. While the government defends this as a deterrent against human smuggling, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and Italian courts have repeatedly questioned the legality of designating certain countries (like Bangladesh or Egypt) as "safe."
Automatic Detention: Critics argue the protocol leads to de facto automatic detention of asylum seekers without individualized assessment, potentially violating the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Sea Rescues: The government continues to implement a "distant port" policy, requiring NGO rescue ships to travel several days to northern Italian ports instead of disembarking at the nearest safe harbor. This delays vital medical care and reduces the time rescue ships can spend in the Mediterranean.
2. Media Freedom and "The Gag Law"
Journalistic freedom has faced what the International Press Institute calls a "democratic drift."
Restrictions on Reporting: In 2025, Parliament adopted a law—colloquially known as the "Gag Law"—that prohibits journalists from publishing literal quotes from pre-trial detention orders. Advocates argue this severely hampers reporting on corruption and organized crime.
Public Broadcaster Independence: There are ongoing concerns regarding political interference at RAI, the national public broadcaster. The mass resignation of several prominent journalists and the 2024–2025 boycott of the RAI oversight committee have led to accusations that the broadcaster is being used for government-friendly "editorial steering."
SLAPPs: Italy remains one of the EU countries with the highest number of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs)—defamation suits filed by politicians to intimidate investigative reporters.
3. LGBTQ+ and Reproductive Rights
While Italy has progressive public opinion, its legal framework often lags behind other Western European nations.
Surrogacy as a "Universal Crime": A law enacted in late 2024 and enforced throughout 2025 makes it a crime for Italians to use surrogacy services even in countries where it is legal (like the U.S. or Canada). This has been labeled by activists as a targeted attack on same-sex couples, who are also barred from joint adoption in Italy.
Abortion Access: Although abortion is legal, the high percentage of "conscientious objectors" among doctors (surpassing 70% in some regions) makes accessing the procedure extremely difficult. In 2025, the government allowed anti-abortion groups to operate inside public family planning clinics, which critics call a violation of the right to health.
4. Systemic Discrimination and Poverty
The Roma Community: Forced evictions of Roma families from "unauthorized" camps continue without adequate provision of social housing. Reports from early 2026 highlight that many Roma still live in segregated settlements with no access to basic utilities, a violation of the EU Anti-Racism Strategy.
Absolute Poverty: Approximately 10% of the Italian population is living in absolute poverty. The 2023–2024 removal of the "Citizens' Income" (a basic income social safety net) has left many vulnerable households without a state-guaranteed minimum, leading to increased homelessness in major cities like Rome and Milan.