The government's new law decree
cracking down on illegal raves is a signal to all those who want
to break the law, Premier Giorgia Meloni told her year end press
conference Thursday.
"For some time people have been coming from all over Europe to
organise illegal gatherings with violence, drugs, because they
are having fun. We wonder why here and not in France or in
Spain? Because we have (hitherto) allowed it," she said.
"For me it is not is secondary: it is the signal I am interested
in giving. It's over ,the Italy that rages against those who
respect the rules and pretends not to see those who violate
them. The law must rule, and it was necessary to give a signal."
Political protests by students occupying schools or by trade
unions or political parties occupying public spaces were removed
from the controversial government decree against rave parties
before it was passed Wednesday.
There had been fears that the constitutional right to protest,
even by occupying buildings, would be hit by the original
decree, rushed through parliament after a huge pan-European rave
was broken up at Modena in October.
After its amendment by parliament, the latest version of the
decree limits the offence to "anyone who organises and promotes
the arbitrary invasion of other people's land or buildings,
public or private, for the purpose of carrying out a musical or
other gathering of entertainment" when there is "a concrete
danger" to public health or safety as a result of non-compliance
with drug, safety and hygiene regulations.
It thus specifies the type of occupation, excluding those of
students or other public demonstrations.
Another earlier change to the decree was to its application to
groups of 50 or more people. That stipulation has now been
lifted after protests from unions and political parties.
The government has also cut a maximum jail term
of six years that would have warranted wiretaps and other police
intercepts.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
