Italy unanimously passes law making femicide a specific crime punishable by life imprisonment, with 237 votes in favour and none against.
ROME: Italian lawmakers have unanimously approved legislation making femicide a specific crime punishable by life imprisonment.
The bill creates a new category of homicide based on the victim’s characteristics according to the legislation’s explanatory note.
Previously, Italian law only provided for aggravating circumstances when the killer was married or related to the victim.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the vote as a tool to “defend the freedom and dignity of every woman”.
The government initiative passed with 237 votes in favour and none against after Senate approval in July.
The new article mandates life imprisonment for killing women “out of discrimination, hatred or violence” among other reasons.
The United Nations marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with a report showing approximately 50,000 women and girls were killed by partners or family members last year.
Italy’s national statistics institute recorded 116 female victims among 327 homicides in the country during 2024.
Men were the perpetrators in 92.2% of these female homicide cases. – AFP
