Politics · Italy · 5 hrs ago
Italian judges’ group says security decree risks minors’ rights
Italy’s National Association of Magistrates has criticized a government security decree now being reviewed by the Chamber of Deputies’ Justice Committee.
The decree followed damage in central Milan on October 17 and includes measures targeting crime by minors and offences at public demonstrations.
For 14- to 18-year-olds, it would presume criminal responsibility unless disproved, replacing the current approach of assessing each young person’s ability to understand their actions.
The judges’ group says this could lengthen trials and make it harder for minors without money or family support to obtain expert assessments.
It warns the changes could conflict with constitutional protections and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which links young people’s rights to their maturity and ability to understand.
The group also objects to preventive detention and says a new offence for damage by groups of at least five people is too vaguely defined.
The decree remains under discussion in parliament, where the committee is considering its provisions.
Italy’s National Association of Magistrates says the security decree raises serious questions about minors’ rights and constitutional protections.
The decree changes how criminal responsibility is assessed for people aged 14 to 18, making it presumed unless disproved.
The association says the change could lengthen proceedings and weaken defence guarantees for minors without adequate resources.
It also criticises preventive detention and a new aggravated-damage offence involving groups of at least five people.
The decree was introduced after damage in central Milan and is being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies’ Justice Committee.
- Who
- Italy’s National Association of Magistrates, represented by Milan judge Chiara Valori, criticised the decree.
- What
- The group says provisions on minors, preventive detention and aggravated damage raise legal and rights concerns.
- When
- The article was published on 12 November 2026; Valori made her remarks on Tuesday, with no date specified.
- Where
- Italy; the cited damage took place in central Milan.
- Why
- The government introduced the decree after damage in central Milan on 17 October.
National Association of Magistrates
Italian government
Purpose and need
National Association of Magistrates
The association says the decree does not address the causes of youth offending and that existing rules covered the relevant conduct.
Italian government
The government introduced the decree on security and juvenile crime after damage in central Milan.
Minors’ criminal responsibility
National Association of Magistrates
The association says presumed responsibility for those aged 14 to 18 raises constitutional and children’s-rights concerns.
Italian government
Not stated in the article.
Damage took place in central Milan.
The government introduced the security and juvenile-crime decree.
Chiara Valori presented the ANM’s criticisms of the decree.
Il Fatto Quotidiano published its report as the decree was under discussion in the Chamber of Deputies’ Justice Committee.
- Age group affected
- 14 to 18 years
- New aggravated-damage provision
- Groups of at least five people, including groups organised occasionally
- Reported incident prompting decree
- Damage in central Milan on 17 October
- Parliamentary status
- Under discussion in the Chamber of Deputies’ Justice Committee
- Published
- 12 November 2026
What people are saying
raises significant questions of compatibility both with the general principles of the criminal justice system and with constitutional principles
the change lengthens proceedings
the maturity of minors arrives much later
a vague and non-technical notion, likely to create interpretive uncertainty