Speaking on behalf of UAAR and Humanists International, Giorgio Maone, UAAR’s Executive Board Member for international relations, responded to Italy’s UPR* outcome in a statement delivered during the Council’s adoption of the report. He spoke by video during the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Maone’s statement acknowledged Italy’s formal acceptance of many recommendations, including several proposed in the UAAR submission, made last year, but criticized the Government’s responses as “procedurally compliant” while remaining substantively evasive.
On abortion access, Maone highlighted that Italy had only recently mapped the availability of pregnancy termination (VTP) services for the first time – but failed to address the rampant issue of conscientious objection among medical providers. In some regions, up to 90% of professionals refuse to provide abortions, creating de facto barriers to access that have led to avoidable suffering and even preventable deaths.
Turning to sexual education, Maone warned of growing state complicity in a conservative backlash. A government-backed draft law would require mandatory parental “informed consent” for school activities that touch on sexuality. Framed as promoting a “virtuous” school-family alliance, the measure reflects narratives pushed by conservative religious groups like Family Day and fits into a broader pattern of educational surveillance.
The statement also raised serious concerns regarding LGBTI+ rights. While Italy regulated civil unions in 2016, it has yet to legalize equal marriage or ensure legal recognition for same-sex parents. Adoption by non-biological parents in same-sex couples is allowed only under restrictive “special case” exceptions, leaving many families in legal limbo and children without secure parental rights.
Giorgio Maone delivering the statement by video
The statement followed a submission by UAAR in July 2024 as part of the UPR. Many of the issues raised in the statement were raised at that time, including reproductive rights, same-sex marriage, and crimes of the clergy. In January 2024, UAAR participated in Humanists International’s annual UPR training on engaging with the UN UPR, which informs members on how to make submissions and statements as part of the UPR process, and how to hold states accountable for human rights violations.
*The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a UN process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States, by each other. It is a unique human rights mechanism in so far as it addresses all countries and all human rights. The Working Group on the UPR, which is composed of the Human Rights Council’s 47 Member States and chaired by the Human Rights Council President, conducts country reviews.
Featured Photo by Chait Goli on Pexels.
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