President Sergio Mattarella blasted the “brutality” of homotransphobia on Friday in a message for the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
“Intolerance for what is different and indifference to the crushing of other people’s freedoms are lacerations to democratic coexistence,” the head of State said.
“Italy is not immune to episodes of homotransphobia, with people discriminated against, crushed by prejudice, often leading to unacceptable hate speech and verbal and physical assaults.
“We must not resign ourselves to such brutality,” added Mattarella. He called on the public institutions to commit themselves “to an inclusive society that respects identities”.
On Thursday, the President spoke of the violation of human and civil rights everywhere. Mattarella reminded the Italian people that Italy must respect the humanitarian law enshrined in the constitution.
“The need to respect humanitarian law is in our constitution,” he said.
“It is the duty of the Italian Republic; this applies in all directions.
“This is true for the civilians. For the Palestinian people. It is true for the boys raped and killed while listening to music at a rave last 7th October; it is true for the children whose throats were slit on that occasion. It is true for Mahsa Amini and the girls who after her were imprisoned and executed because they did not wear the veil. It is true for the girls who cannot study in Afghanistan.
“For our Republic all violations of human rights must be opposed, always”.
Government in fight against homotransphobia says Meloni
Premier Giorgia Meloni said Friday that her government was on the front line in the fight against homotransphobia.
“It is our job to keep the international community’s attention high on the persecution and abuse that is still perpetrated on the basis of sexual orientation in many nations around the world, as recalled today by the President of the Republic,” she said.
“The spotlight must never be switched off on the unacceptable discrimination and violence, which damages people’s dignity.
“The government is, and will always be, on the front line on this front too”.
It is hard to swallow Meloni’s statement regarding the Italian government. Her own Deputy PM, Matteo Salvini, has chosen an openly homophobic, misogynist and racist, disgraced General as a running mate in the European elections.
Indeed, with the government also preventing surrogacy, not recognising both parents in a same-sex relationship and the so-called Zen Law being dismissed in parliament, it is hard to equate her words to the Italian government’s actions.
