ORAL STATEMENT
Humanists International
UN Human Rights Council, 59th Session Session (16th June – 9th July 2025)
Universal Periodic Review of Italy
Speaker: Giorgio Maone
Thank you Mr. President.
I make this statement on behalf of the Italian Union of Rationalist Atheists and Agnostics, and Humanists International.
We are grateful for Italy’s engagement with the UPR.
However, while many of the recommendations in our submission were formally accepted by Italy, its actual responses expose deep structural shortcomings and a troubling ideological drift.
On abortion access, Italy highlights the raw number of VTP facilities – which have only been mapped for the first time this year. However, Italy avoids addressing the rampant issue of conscientious objection, up to 90% of providers[1] in some regions. This undermines access, leading to avoidable suffering and even preventable deaths of women denied timely care.
Italy’s stance on sexual education has markedly regressed. A draft law advanced by the Government proposes mandatory parental “informed consent” for school activities touching on sexuality. Framed as a “virtuous” school-family alliance, the bill reflects right-wing religious narratives promoted by groups like Family Day and is part of a broader agenda of “educational surveillance”.[2] This effectively obstructs rights-based, evidence-informed sexual education.
Regarding LGBT+ rights, even if Italy regulated civil unions in 2016, it consistently stalled progress on equal marriage, legal recognition of same-sex parents, and comprehensive anti-discrimination protections. Adoption by non-biological same-sex parents is restricted to limited “special cases”, leaving many families and children in legal uncertainty.
Italy’s UPR engagement appears procedurally compliant, yet its refusal to address critical barriers — coupled with a conservative, ideologically driven agenda — marks a serious divergence from international human rights standards. True reform requires dismantling the structural and cultural obstacles Italy has chosen to preserve.
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9534259/
'UPR outcome of Italy', Humanists International