The Senate of Italy unanimously approved on Wednesday the bill that introduces the Feminicide As a specific crime in the Criminal Code, with a maximum perpetual chain penalty, in a vote that was backed by all parliamentary groups, something very unusual in Italian politics.
The text, which obtained 161 votes in favor, without abstentions or votes against, in addition to the unanimous applause of all the senators present, will now pass to the Chamber of Deputies for its final approval, which is taken for granted.
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“Italy is one of the first countries to follow this path, convinced that it can contribute to fighting an intolerable scourge”said Prime Minister, Ultradrechista Giorgia Meloni, while Elly Schlein, leader of the progressive Democatra Party (PD), the major of the opposition, warned that “This law is just a first step: now we must advance with prevention, affective education and a deep cultural change. ”
Today’s vote responds to the call to unite forces that Schlein launched last May, after the murder of a 14 -year -old girl at the hands of her ex -boyfriend who shocked the country, and to which Meloni joined from the beginning.
The protesters hold a banner that says “we hit against patriarchal violence” during a demonstration convened by the “non Meno” movement (not one less) against patriarchal violence, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, in Rome, on March 8. 2024. (Photo by Tiziana Fabi / AFP)
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As established in the new article of the Criminal Code, it will be punished with life imprisonment.or as retaliation before its refusal to initiate or continue an affective relationship.
Among the outstanding points of the project, the 45 -day limit for telephone interventions in the most serious cases of violence against women are eliminated and it is established that the Minister of Justice must annually submit a report before the Parliament on the application of measures against feminicide and gender violence.
Besides, The law expands the legal protection of femicide orphans, as well as the criteria for accessing compensation, extending them to minors whose mother has been killed by the fact of being a woman, even when the aggressor did not maintain an affective relationship with the victim. The children of women who survived attempts at femicide will also benefit but were in conditions that prevent them from exercising their parental role.
It also imposes that the victims or relatives of the deceased victims be notified immediately any judicial decision that grants prison benefits, alternative measures or exits from the penitentiary center to those convicted of aggravated feminicide or homicide.
The project also provides prevention campaigns, training of magistrates and health personnel in gender and domestic violence, and awareness of the use of substances that alter consciousness and can induce aggressive behaviors.
