More than 70 NGOs have sounded the alarm over Italy’s new Security Decree, warning it poses a serious threat to democracy amid a systemic deterioration of the rule of law.
In a letter[1] to Michael McGrath, the EU Commissioner responsible for democracy and the rule of law, the organisations urge the Commission to act immediately against the law, including conducting a legal review of the decree’s compatibility with EU law, and potentially launching infringement proceedings.
The letter comes ahead of widespread demonstrations[2] against the decree, with a large mobilisation planned for 31 May.[3]
Pushed through by the Meloni government in April, the decree introduces disproportionate restrictions and harsh penalties that could criminalise protests and silence dissent, violating fundamental EU rights to free expression and peaceful protest.
It has received widespread condemnation, including from the Council of Europe, the OSCE-ODHIR, and UN special rapporteurs.
It comes just weeks after the country was added to the CIVICUS Monitor’s Watchlist[4] — which the democracy watchdog uses to highlight countries facing a serious deterioration in civil liberties — alongside Serbia, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the USA.
A dangerous escalation
The decree marks a dangerous escalation in the systemic deterioration of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Italy. It reflects broader authoritarian tendencies, including the vilification and criminalisation of civil society, repeated attacks on the media, and legislative moves undermining judicial independence.
“This decree is not an isolated case — it’s part of a broader authoritarian shift in Italy. Civil society is under attack and the judiciary and media are being undermined.
“We cannot allow these authoritarian tendencies to be normalised and stand by as the rule of law, democracy, and fundamental rights in Italy are dismantled,” said Kerttu Willamo, Civic Space Project Officer at the European Civic Forum.
In the letter, the NGOs urge the Commission to step in and prevent another member state from following the path of Hungary and sliding into authoritarianism.
“What we are seeing from the Italian government bears all the hallmarks of the Orban playbook. What is happening should not be normalised; the EU must act now, before it’s too late,” added Giada Negri, Research and Advocacy Coordinator at the European Civic Forum.
***ENDS***
For interviews or other questions, please contact:
Benjamin Goodwin, Communications and Campaigns Officer, bgoodwin@civic-forum.eu
About the European Civic Forum
European Civic Forum (ECF) is a pan-European network of nearly 100 associations and NGOs across 29 European countries. Founded in 2005 by our member organisations, we have spent nearly two decades working to protect civic space, enable civic participation and build civil dialogue for more equality, solidarity and democracy in Europe.
[1] https://civic-forum.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Civil-Society-Letter-to-Commissioner-McGrath-about-the-Italian-Security-Decree.pdf
[2] https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2025/05/in-piazza-a-roma-contro-il-ddl-sicurezza-tensioni-tra-manifestanti-e-polizia-e006337b-c9d1-4148-8184-78d7808c7595.html
[3] https://lespresso.it/c/opinioni/2025/05/27/proteste-decreto-sicurezza-fiducia-manifestazione-nazionale-meloni/54460