Italy: Fear for abortion rights post the election of far-right party

Italy: Fear for abortion rights post the election of far-right party
Photo by Miki Jourdan via Flickr

04-10-2022

Marina Anastasilaki,

Europe and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence 

On 25 September, during the general elections, Italy chose the political party Fratelli d’Italia and their leader Georgia Meloni. A few days post the elections, Italian people marched through Rome, Milan as well as other cities to express their concerns about the right to abortion being interfered with. Precisely, on 28 September, more than 1,000 people in Rome and Milan respectively marched in the streets holding banners saying “My body, my choice” and “Safe for all”, advocating for all women’s right to a safe abortion as established under the Law 194 of Italy. Even though Meloni has declared to not alter Law 194, Italian people have been concerned that the “triad of God, homeland and family” - which is part of Meloni’s political manifesto – will have a negative impact upon the right of women in Italy to have access to abortion. 

The access to a safe abortion is inextricably linked to human rights recognized under international human rights law. The right to life is established in article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and article 6(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and is highly relevant as there are many cases where the life of women is threatened when they are not allowed an abortion. Closely linked to the right to life, is the right to health; article 25 of UDHR stipulates that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself […]”. Simultaneously, the 1946 Constitution of the World Health Organization lays down in its preamble that “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” Additionally, article 5 of UDHR designates that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”, which is a situation that may arise if a woman is not allowed timely access to a proper and medically safe abortion. Finally, article 2 of the UDHR and article 2(1) of ICCPR safeguard the right not be to discriminated against, inter alia, on the basis of sex. 

The days to follow are crucial for the political scene in Italy, with the forthcoming weeks being decisive as the new government will be formed. The formation of the new government is central with regard to various matters in the country, including the status of abortion rights and the access of women to medical institutions that can provide for a safe abortion. 

Sources and further reading. 

BBC. (2022, 27 September). Giorgia Meloni: Italy’s far-right wins election and vows to govern for all. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63029909 

Constitution of World Health Organization, July 22, 1946, https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution 

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, December 16, 1966, https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights 

PBS. (2022, 28 September). Italians march for abortion rights after far-right election victory. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/italians-march-for-abortion-rights-after-far-right-election-victory 

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted December 10, 1948,  https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights