# Italy - United States Department of State

- Resettlement Diplomacy Network Senior Officials Meeting Office of the SpokespersonFrom April 29 to May 1, 2024, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Julieta Valls Noyes convened the third Senior Officials Meeting of the Resettlement Diplomacy Network (RDN) in Washington, DC.  Under the chairship of the United States, senior government officials from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with representatives of the European Commission, participated in the exchange.The meeting provided an opportunity for participating states to review the impact of the RDN’s work since its inaugural ministerial meeting in September 2023 and to assess priorities for continued collective action on refugee resettlement and complementary pathways that help strengthen the global protection system.Participants discussed the use of the Emergency Coordination Platform established within the RDN (also known as the “Red Phone” mechanism) to facilitate rapid collaboration on situations of shared concern, including continued focus on providing safety to Afghan refugees in need of protection.  In addition, participants reflected on lessons from previous emergency responses to large-scale displacement and discussed opportunities to work together to strengthen the global resettlement and complementary protection pathways system, including by strengthening existing emergency transit infrastructure, using innovative refugee resettlement referral mechanisms, and leveraging community-driven sponsorship models.  Finally, participants discussed the Safe Mobility initiative and further opportunities for coordination on infrastructure to support pathways to resettlement.The United States launched the RDN in September 2022.  Pathways International and the Migration Policy Institute support the U.S. chairship of the RDN as the RDN secretariat.
- Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Sison’s Travel to Switzerland, Italy, and the Holy See Office of the SpokespersonAssistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele Sison will travel to Bern, Geneva, Rome, and Vatican City April 22 &#8211; 30. The Assistant Secretary will meet with her Swiss counterparts in Bern on UN and multilateral cooperation. In Geneva, she will participate in the Consultative Level Meeting of the Geneva Group on UN governance and management and meet with leadership of several UN agencies. During her visit to Rome, the Assistant Secretary will meet with World Food Program, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Food and Agricultural Organization leadership as well as Ministry of Foreign Affairs counterparts. She will also call on the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States to discuss a number of humanitarian issues.
- Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Solo Press Availability Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateCapri, ItalyPollio Media Center Theatre&nbsp;SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good afternoon, everyone.  It is a great pleasure to be here in Capri, in Italy.  And I want to begin by thanking our hosts – Prime Minister Meloni, my friend and colleague, Foreign Minister Tajani – for not only their wonderful hospitality but also their remarkable leadership. The G7 is in many ways a steering committee for the world’s most advanced democracies.  And we emerge from this meeting of foreign ministers more united than ever – more united in facing critical challenges that lie before the international community, including Russian aggression against Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and as well the importance of sustaining, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific.  These and many other subjects were the focus of our conversations over the last two days, which I found to be extremely productive.  And again, what strikes me the most – and it – you can really see this over the last three years – is the extraordinary convergence in our approaches to these challenges, convergence between the United States, Europe, and major partners in Asia. Let me touch on some of the most important things that we discussed and concluded over these past couple of days, and of course I’ll – I commend to you the statement that we put out or will soon be out on the part of the entire G7.  First, the G7 condemned the unprecedented Iranian attack on Israel, unprecedented in scope and scale – scope, because it was a direct attack on Israel from Iran; scale, because it involved more than 300 munitions, including ballistic missiles.  We’re committed to Israel’s security.  We’re also committed to de-escalating, to trying to bring this tension to a close. You saw as well, or you’ll see soon in the G7 statement a commitment to hold Iran to account – to account for its destabilizing activities, holding into account by degrading its missile and drone capabilities.  And yesterday the United States announced additional sanctions on Iran, targeting UAV programs, the steel industry, companies that are associated with the IRGC, the Ministry of Defence, and its armed forces logistics.  The G7 statement makes clear that G7 countries will adopt additional sanctions or other measures in the days ahead. Even as we’ve been dealing with the conflict in the Middle East, and again, the unprecedented attack by Iran on Israel, we’ve remained intensely focused on Gaza.  We urge the rapid implementation of Israel’s humanitarian assistance commitments – more aid, more crossings, better deconfliction, better distribution of the assistance to all who need it.  We have seen important steps over the last couple of weeks, with more crossings opening, more aid getting in, more aid getting around, but we need to see sustained results.  And we need, in particular, to make sure that there is distribution throughout Gaza. We also focused on the imperative of getting to a ceasefire with the release of hostages.  Such a ceasefire would facilitate the dramatic expansion of the humanitarian assistance.  It would also let Gazans returned to the north, those who have been displaced from the north.  The only thing – the only thing – standing between the Gazan people and a ceasefire is Hamas.  It’s rejected generous proposals from Israel.  It seems more interested in a regional conflict than it is in a ceasefire that would immediately improve the lives of the Palestinian people.  It continues to move the goalposts, and the world needs to know and needs to understand, again, that the only thing standing between a ceasefire and the Gazan people is Hamas. The G7 is also very clear in its unwavering support for Ukraine, faced with aggression from Russia.  Putin thinks that he can outwait Ukraine and outwait Ukraine’s supporters.  The message coming out of Capri is:  He can’t.  Every G7 member’s making extraordinary contributions to Ukraine’s defense.  And, as I said before, this is the best burden-sharing that I’ve ever seen across the Atlantic in more than 30 years of being engaged in these issues, with Europe as well as Asian partners picking up more than their share of the load. I want to particularly recognize Prime Minister Meloni for her leadership, her decisive leadership.  We can see two things right now.  Together we are helping to put Ukraine on a long-term path where it will stand strongly on its own two feet militarily, economically, democratically.  More than now 30 countries are engaged in negotiating – and some have concluded negotiations – with Ukraine on security pacts.  And together with what I’m convinced will emerge from the NATO summit, you can see Ukraine effectively building a force for the future – one that can deter aggression and defeat it as necessary. We’re working to drive private sector investment into Ukraine, and also help it develop its own defense industrial base in ways that will provide for a strong, enduring economy.  And of course, now that the accession path to the EU is open, that will help Ukraine deep-root its democracy.  But even as we’re doing all of that, we heard clearly from Foreign Minister Kuleba that it’s imperative that – in this moment, Ukraine get more resources that it needs to deal with the ongoing Russian aggression.  It needs more air defenses, it needs more munitions, it needs more artillery. Allies and partners, including the G7 countries, are committed to delivering on that.  We discussed steps to provide more assistance more immediately to Ukraine.  We also discussed ways to protect and help restore its energy grid, which Russia has sought to decimate.  And here, again, I think we can see the important steps that were already taken, but more to come in making sure that Ukraine has sustainable energy for its people. We’re also working to strengthen efforts to disrupt the transfer of weapons, and also inputs for Russia’s defense industrial base.  When it comes to weapons, what we’ve seen, of course, is North Korea and Iran primarily providing things to Russia.  But when it comes to Russia’s defense industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment to that is China.  We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade.  Now, if China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it can’t on the other hand be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.  And you don’t have to just take that from me – this is what I heard around the table at the G7. Progress on solutions also to use Russia’s sovereign assets for Ukraine was on the agenda.  And here, I think we’re working on getting to an agreement on that consistent with international law, consistent with different countries’ laws.  The Kremlin has called this theft.  The real theft is in Ukrainians’ lives taken, in so much of Ukraine’s infrastructure destroyed, in so much of its land seized.  Being able to use these Russian sovereign assets to help rebuild Ukraine is critical, and it’s also something that – one way or another, one day or another – is going to happen.  It’s also a complement to, but not a substitute for, the assistance that we all need to be providing in the moment to Ukraine, and in particular the supplementary budget request that President Biden has made and that it appears will be before the House this weekend.And again, I just want to emphasize two things.  First, this money and everything it’ll provide is urgently needed by Ukraine, by its people who are so bravely defending their country and defending their democracy.  Second, as I said, we have European and other partners, including in Asia, who are doing so much themselves to help provide for Ukraine.  And finally, virtually all of the supplemental, will be invested in the United States in defense production, in our own defense industrial base, and that means good jobs in the United States. Finally, we focused intensely over these last couple of days on reaching out to new partners, and this includes in the Indo-Pacific, where we’re working to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.  Here, I think it’s very instructive that the support that Russia’s received from China, from North Korea, from Iran demonstrates that security in Europe, security in Asia, and other parts of the world are indivisible.  They’re deeply connected.  And this is something, again, that we heard around the table over these last couple of days. The G7 is united on the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, and also united in standing up to China’s unfair and non-market practices, especially when it comes to overcapacity that is flooding the markets of our own countries with new products and technologies that are heavily subsidized and so underpriced, driving our own businesses out of the market and seeking to dominate these markets themselves.  Again, this is a very clear common concern among all of our countries.And finally, the other piece of this is that the G7 continues to work to deepen engagement with global partners to help deliver results everywhere.  We had the chair of the African Union with us yesterday for very good conversations.  And what we’re really looking at is working in practical ways with countries in Africa and beyond to make clear, tangible, deliverable improvements in the lives of their people and, as a result, the lives of our own people. We have the AU that’s now a member of the G20.  We’re particularly focused on how Africa can play its rightful role in meeting both regional and global challenges.  There’s a growing collaboration on infrastructure and technology to improve connectivity, to build resilience.  We’ve reaffirmed our commitment to sustainable development and especially to the Sustainable Development Goals – also to reforming the international financial institutions, multilateral development banks to make them both more representative and more effective and responsive to meeting the needs of countries around the world, addressing issues like climate change, debt, food security.So, in all of these areas, I found the conversations and the work over the last couple of days – reflected in the statement that you’ll see – to be extremely productive and also, maybe most importantly, a very good setup for the leaders that are – the meeting that our leaders will have, excuse me, in June.  That’s what we’re tracking toward.  We’ll continue the work that we did here over the next couple of months, and the leaders will follow up.With that, happy to take some questions.MR MILLER:  The first question goes to Olivia Gazis with CBS News.QUESTION:  Thank you very much.  Mr. Secretary, there is a lot to ask you about today, so with your indulgence – first, on Israel’s strikes in Iran, was the U.S. indeed alerted in advance, how far ahead of time, and did it raise any objections when it was?  Are the strikes now over, and do you have any indication at this early stage via direct or indirect messaging that Iran will respond?  And have there been any changes in Iran’s nuclear program?On Israel, there are reports that your department has made recommendations to cut military aid to certain Israeli units for possible human rights violations in the West Bank, before October 7th.  Will you take action on those recommendations?And finally, on the recent U.S. assessments you mentioned that China may be growing its support for Russia for its war effort in Ukraine, do you believe that President Xi is sensing an opportunity amid flagging U.S. support to the Ukrainians? Thank you, sir.SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Great.  Thanks, Olivia.  On the first question, the reports that you’ve seen, I’m not going to speak to that, except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations.  What we’re focused on, what the G7 is focused on – and again, it’s reflected in our statement and in our conversation – is our work to de-escalate tensions, to de-escalate from any potential conflict.  You saw Israel on the receiving end of an unprecedented attack, but our focus has been on, of course, making sure that Israel can effectively defend itself, but also de-escalating tensions, avoiding conflict.  And that remains our focus.QUESTION:  (Off-mike.)SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Again, I’m not going to speak to anything other than to say we were not involved in any offensive operations.With regard to the other questions, first, on China and Russia – look, I think that what we’re seeing is a product of the relationship between those two countries.  You’ve heard them speak to it, including just before Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.  We’ve made very clear to China – and many other countries have as well – that they should not be supplying Russia with weapons for use in its aggression against Ukraine.  We’ve not seen the direct supply of weapons, but as I said, what we have seen is not only the direct supply but the critical supply of inputs, of components for Russia’s defense industrial base, which is allowing two things: It’s allowing Russia to continue the aggression against Ukraine.  It’s also helping Russia overall rebuild its defense forces and defense capacity that so much damage has been done to by the Ukrainians, but also by our sanctions and export controls.  And that means that not only is Russia a current threat to Ukraine – it will remain an enduring threat to other European countries. And that’s why I said China can’t have it both ways.  It can’t purport to want to have positive, friendly relations with countries in Europe and at the same time be fueling the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.  That was very clear from our conversations around the table.  I believe Europeans have expressed that and will continue to express that clearly to China in the days and weeks ahead.QUESTION:  And Israel’s violations of human rights &#8212;SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Oh, I’m sorry.  So, on that, I think you’re referring to the so-called Leahy Law and our work under that.  So, this is a very important law, and it’s one that we apply across the board.  And when we’re doing these investigations, these inquiries, it’s something that takes time, that has to be done very carefully both in collecting the facts and analyzing them – and that’s exactly what we’ve done.  And I think it’s fair to say that you’ll see results very soon. I’ve made determinations; you can expect to see them in the days ahead. MR MILLER:  For the next question, Oliviero Bergamini with RAI TGI1.QUESTION:  Good afternoon.  Two quick questions.  First, do you have the feeling that today’s strike was limited so that Iran was not compelled to react?  In that sense, are you optimistic about not a big war breaking out?  And there is an Iran issue.  Do you think that in the future other countries – like Italy that has historical ties with Iran – could play a role in the de-escalation and the stabilization that you mentioned?SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you.  Well, two things.  Again, I’m not going to speak to these reported events.  All I can say is that for our part and for the entire G7, our focus has been on de-escalation, on avoiding a larger conflict, and actually that’s been true since day one after the horrific events of October 7th.  A big part of our approach has been to prevent the conflict from spreading, to avoid escalation everywhere, and that’s a common policy across the G7 and it’s very much our approach now.  So, we’ve been engaged in efforts to avoid escalation.  Those efforts will continue. Italy plays a critical role in this as a leading country, as a country that’s engaged around the world with many other countries that have their own relationships with countries involved in the Middle East.  Italy has its own direct engagements.  And I think what we’ve seen over the past 10 days or so – couple of weeks – is that those engagements have been and remain very important to keeping things calm, to avoiding escalation, to preventing a larger conflict.  Italy is an important player in this.QUESTION:  Thank you.MR MILLER:  Nadia Bilbassy with Al Arabiya.QUESTION:  Thank you.  Mr. Secretary, I want to pursue again on the Iran question.  It seems that both the Iranian and the Israeli responses were measured and calculated.  Would you say that now we’re averting a major confrontation and a possible war?  And what messages would the U.S. play in sending to both sides to – for restraint?  And are we back to the proxy war? And if – if you allow me on Rafah.  U.S. position is very clear:  You’re opposed a military operation in Rafah as long as there is no plan to evacuate one and a half million Palestinian civilians.  The Israeli Government is adamant to go ahead.  What is your understanding of the plan now, and what is acceptable for the U.S.? And finally, on the UN Security Council, the United States looks isolated.  Yesterday, your allies – close allies – France, Japan, and South Korea – both voted for admitting Palestine as a member.  The Israelis, including Netanyahu, on the record saying they oppose two-state solution.  So, what is the path forward and what message do you give to Palestinians and to moderates in the region if you truly want to isolate extremists?  Thank you.SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thanks very much for the questions.  Let me simply, first of all, repeat what our focus has been and what it remains: de-escalation, avoiding conflict.  And so, yes, calling on all concerned to exercise restraint.  That’s what we’ve been doing over the last couple of weeks, and as necessary that’s what we’ll continue to do.  And again, that’s reflected in the statement that you’ll see coming from all of the G7 countries. On Rafah, we have been clear about this, President Biden has been very clear about this:  We cannot support a major military operation in Rafah.  First, there are currently somewhere around 1.4 million people in Rafah, many of them displaced from other parts of Gaza.  In the first instance, it’s imperative that people are able to get out of the way of any conflict, and doing that – getting people out of harm’s way – is a monumental task for which we have yet to see a plan.  And not only getting them out of harm’s way, making sure that they can be supported with humanitarian assistance if they’re out of harm’s way.  But second, even if people are largely out of harm’s way, inevitably there’s going to remain a pretty significant civilian population in Rafah, and we believe that a major military operation with a large presence of the civilian population would have terrible consequences for that population. We are committed, as Israel is, to ensuring that Gaza cannot be controlled by Hamas.  We’ve seen the devastation and destruction that have resulted from Hamas’s leadership, and the actions that it’s taken – and well before October 7th, what it was providing or, rather, not providing for the Palestinian people made clear that its concern had nothing to do with the Palestinian people – and everything to do with its objectives to destroy Israel.  So, making sure that Hamas cannot repeat the events of October 7th, that’s something that we are united in.  But in terms of major military operations in Rafah, that’s something that we don’t support, and we believe that the objective can be achieved by other means.  We’ve been engaged in conversations at senior levels with Israel over the past couple of weeks on this, including as recently as this week.  Those conversations continue. Finally, on the UN Security Council resolution.  First, we are committed – the United States is committed to achieving a Palestinian state.  We believe that is vital to having long-term, sustainable, durable peace and security.  And, of course, it’s the only way to fulfill the aspirations – the rightful aspirations – of the Palestinian people.  But getting to that, achieving that state, has to be done through diplomacy, not through imposition.  And the resolution that was voted at the Security Council will have no effect on actually moving things forward and achieving a Palestinian state.  Again, that can only be accomplished by diplomatic means. It’s also important to point this out:  Under United States law, even if we had wanted to vote for this resolution, had we done so, under our law it would have obligated us to cut off all of our funding to the United Nations – clearly not in the interests of anyone, including the Palestinians, particularly given the contributions we make to programs that are vital to them.  But as I said, we’re committed to working to achieve a Palestinian state with the necessary guarantees for Israel’s security.  And we’ve been working on that, including as part of a potential normalization process between Israel and Saudi Arabia – something that we’ve intensely engaged on over the last several months and weeks. So, you can see an important path forward that’s there.  And in fact, we saw it in the wake of the unprecedented Iranian attack on Israel. We can see, for Israel, a future where a coalition of countries are working together, working together to deal with the Iranian threat and to isolate it, with Israel that’s integrated into the region, with normal relations with its neighbors, and a resolution to the Palestinian question, which is necessary to really deep-root and achieve that coalition.  That’s an incredibly powerful future.  It answers what Israel has long sought, which is to have normal relations throughout the region.  It deals with the single biggest threat to Israel’s security and, for that matter, to the security of most countries in the region and our own, which is Iran and its proxies. But to get there, it’s going to require calm in Gaza and it’s going to require a clear pathway to a Palestinian state.  So, we see that as one of the best ways to actually achieve results.  Again, you can put something down on a piece of paper and wave it around – it has no effect.  What does and can have an effect is actual diplomacy, working to achieve these agreements, and then delivering concrete results.  That’s what we’re focused on. Finally, I would say this.  Also take a look at the G7 statement today, which shows unity on this question.  It says that there’s going to be a proper time, a rightful time, for recognition.  This is not that time.  We need to do the diplomacy.  We need to do the hard work to bring parties together, to bring the region together, and to demonstrate that there’s a much better future that awaits everyone if they follow this path.MR MILLER:  And for the final question, Jessica Parker with BBC.QUESTION:  Thank you.  Jessica Parker, BBC News.  If I can first ask why won’t you address events that have happened overnight?  Isn’t it important that you do so?  Can you tell us if you’ve spoken to your Israeli counterparts?  And I’m interested to know how you would characterize the U.S.-Israel relationship right now.  And, if I can, on Ukraine as well, hopes are obviously rising that the U.S. may pass this $60 billion aid package for Ukraine.  But given the amount of time it’s taken, given the situation in Ukraine, is it coming too late?SECRETARY BLINKEN:  So, I’m going to be incredibly boring and not make your day by saying, again, I’m not going to speak to what’s been reported, other than to say that United States has not been involved in any offensive operations.  The United States, along with our partners, will continue to work for de-escalation.On Ukraine, most important thing is getting this aid voted and moving it forward.  And it will, I know, make a profound difference, and make a profound difference almost right away in making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself effectively against the ongoing Russian aggression.  No – is it too late?  No.  If it happens now, it’s not too late.  If it doesn’t happen or takes a lot more time, there is a real risk that, yes, it will be too late.  And you’ve heard others speak to it, including the Secretary of Defense. Now, would it have been – would it be better if that aid had been voted months ago? Absolutely.  But in terms of meeting Ukraine’s urgent needs, it’s incredibly timely to get it done right away – this weekend.  So, I’m convinced and all of our experts are convinced that it can and will make a hugely important material difference in the success of Ukraine’s defense and the success in repelling the Russian aggression.  But if this continues to linger, yes, there is a real risk that we will get to a point where it’s simply too late. QUESTION:  And the U.S.-Israel relationship, sir? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  We are engaged on a regular, pretty much daily basis.  And we’re committed to helping Israel defend itself, and as necessary, participating in this defense, as you saw just a few days ago – and as you saw not only from us but from a number of other countries.  Again, Israel makes its own decisions, but we have a commitment to defending it.  And you saw an unprecedented attack from Iran into Israel and the United States and others working with Israel to make sure that that attack would not have devastating consequences.  And thankfully, it did not. But on all of these issues, whether it’s relationship with Iran, whether it’s the conflict in Gaza, whether it’s Lebanon – you name it – we’re in constant engagement with Israel, just as we’re in constant engagement with allies and partners throughout the region and around the world.  This is a collective effort to try to manage the conflict in the Middle East, to bring the conflict in Gaza to a close, to achieve a ceasefire and the release of hostages. And, by the way, a number of other countries around the table today also have hostages in Gaza held by Hamas and other groups.  And it’s also important to remember because I sometimes think that people have forgotten this: we have American hostages – American hostages who’ve been held in the most deplorable conditions all of this time.  So, all of us are working on all of these issues, and what’s so important and what’s reflected in the G7 statement is we’re doing it together. And my belief is that our collective influence, our collective diplomacy can make a real difference, first of all, in ending the conflict in Gaza; ensuring that Hamas can never repeat October 7th; getting that ceasefire, the release of hostages; a major expansion in humanitarian assistance; and then turning the corner for the people of Gaza so that we can help rebuild their lives, their livelihoods – and, as I said – deal with the critical long-term issues to enduring peace and stability, including a Palestinian state. Thank you. MR MILLER:  Thank you all. RAI TG1.
- G7 Italy 2024 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Steadfast Support for Ukraine Office of the SpokespersonThe text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. We reaffirm our unwavering determination to support democratic Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders.  We pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people, fighting for their freedom and democratic future.Ten years on since Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea and its setting up of unrecognized proxy regimes in parts of the Donbas and into the third year of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraws all of its military forces and equipment from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Russia can end this war today.We call on all countries to uphold international law and in no way to validate or condone Russia’s attempts to acquire territory by force, in violation of the basic tenets of the UN Charter. We will never recognize the legitimacy of so-called “referenda” or “elections”, past or future, held by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, nor their results. Illegally holding Russian Presidential elections in Ukraine’s sovereign territories was an outrageous violation of international law.We will continue to support Ukraine’s right of self-defense and reiterate our commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security. Based on the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine we endorsed in Vilnius in July 2023, we are fully engaged on finalizing and implementing specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements with Ukraine, which several G7 countries and other partners have already signed. We are stepping up our defense and security assistance to Ukraine and are increasing our production and delivery capabilities to assist the country. We also support efforts to assist Ukraine building a future force capable of self-defense and deterrence against all aggression.We express our resolve in particular to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities to save lives and protect critical infrastructure. We will also work with partners towards this end. In this context we appreciate the Immediate Action for Air Defense Initiative (IAAD) proposed by Germany.Together with international partners, we are determined to continue to provide military, financial, political, humanitarian, economic, and development support to Ukraine and its people. We welcome the EU’s adoption of the Ukraine facility of EUR 50 billion, the EU “Ukraine Assistance Fund” of EUR 5 billion. We also welcome additional support G7 countries have approved, as well as the swift delivery of budget support in the first quarter of 2024 by Canada and Japan. We urge the approval of further support from other international partners.We will continue to help Ukraine repair and restore its critical energy and environmental infrastructure and we re-emphasize our strong support for Ukraine’s energy security, including through the G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group. We express our deepest concern about the reported use of chemical agents by Russia, as a method of warfare.Russia must pay for the damage and devastation it is causing. We condemn Russia’s recent missile and drone strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and cities across Ukraine. We are determined to ensure full accountability and we support Ukraine in obtaining compensation for the loss, injury and damage resulting from Russia’s aggression. We welcome the launch of the Register of Damage caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Russia’s sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain immobilized until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage it has caused.We welcome the adoption by the EU of the legal acts concerning extraordinary revenues held by private entities stemming directly from Russia’s immobilized sovereign assets also in view to exploring ways to maximize the benefit for Ukraine that can be obtained from these revenues.We will continue to explore all possible avenues to aid Ukraine in obtaining compensation from Russia, consistent with our respective legal systems and international law. As requested by Leaders, we will continue our work and advise ahead of the Apulia Summit on all possible avenues and feasible options by which immobilized Russian sovereign assets could be made use of to support Ukraine, consistent with our respective legal systems and international law.Ukraine’s reconstruction, starting with early recovery measures and addressing the current energy emergency, remains key priorities. We will continue to work with the Ukrainian authorities and International Financial Institutions through the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform and by leveraging private investments. We welcome the Steering Committee of the enlarged MDCP which took place for the first time in Kyiv on 10 April. We highlight the importance of gender-responsive recovery and the need to address the different needs of women, children and disabled persons as well as other population groups who have been disproportionately affected by Russia’s war of aggression. The reintegration of disabled combatants and civilians remains a priority. Further to the successful Japan-Ukraine Conference for the Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction, we look forward to the Ukraine Recovery Conferences, to be hosted in Berlin in 2024 and in Rome in 2025.We welcome the European Council’s decision in December 2023 to open negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. We praise Ukraine’s progress in its reform efforts, especially to reinforce the justice system and the rule of law and to fight corruption. These endeavors are in line with the Euro-Atlantic path Ukraine has embraced. We will continue to support Ukraine as it works to implement further reforms to strengthen its democracy.We reiterate our support for Ukraine’s efforts to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, consistent with international law, including the UN Charter, with respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will continue to work to achieve the widest possible international support for the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, also in view of the high-level international conference planned in Switzerland in mid-June. Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and its posture of strategic intimidation, including its announced deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus are unacceptable. We reaffirm that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences. In this context, threats by Russia of nuclear weapons use, let alone any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine are inadmissible.We condemn Russia’s seizure and continued control and militarization of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which poses severe risks for nuclear safety and security, with implications for the broader international community. We support the International Atomic Energy Agency’s efforts directed at mitigating such risks, including through the continuous presence of IAEA experts and its focus on ensuring nuclear safety and security at the site.Despite Russia’s attempts to undermine global food security, Ukraine’s success in securing a corridor through the Black Sea has significantly expanded food exports and continues to help feed the world. We pledge our enduring support to those efforts, including through the EU solidarity lanes and other appropriate mechanisms.We remain committed to fully implementing and enforcing our sanctions on Russia and adopting new measures as necessary. We will continue to counter, in close cooperation with third countries, any attempts to evade and circumvent our sanctions and export restrictions. We call on financial institutions to refrain from supporting Russia’s defense industrial base and we will take appropriate steps, consistent with our legal systems, to disrupt and deter this behavior. We will impose additional sanctions on companies and individuals in third countries who help Russia acquire tools and other equipment that aid Russian weapons production or military-industrial development.We will continue to apply significant pressure on Russian revenues from energy and other sectors. We call on all countries to reduce their imports from Russia which are supporting its war. We will continue to take steps to tighten compliance and enforcement of the oil price cap. While working to maintain supply stability, we will respond to price cap violations, including by imposing additional sanctions measures on those engaged in deceptive practices while transporting Russian oil and against the networks Russia has developed to extract additional revenue from price cap violations. We will continue taking steps to limit Russia’s future energy revenues. We will continue to impede Russia’s development of future energy projects and disrupt its development of alternatives for energy shipping and other services. We also welcome the steps taken by the UK and U.S. to stop the trade of new Russian base metals on their global metal exchanges. We will continue efforts to reduce Russia’s revenues from metals.We condemn in the strongest possible terms North Korea’s unlawful export of arms to Russia and for use in Ukraine. In particular, we condemn North Korea’s exports and Russia’s procurement of North Korea’s ballistic missiles in direct violation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and call upon them to immediately cease such activities.We call upon Iran to stop assisting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. Any steps by Iran to transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia, would represent a substantive, material escalation, and t we would respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner, including with new and significant measures against Iran. We call on all countries to prevent the supply of components or other items to Iran’s UAV programmes, which support Russia’s war effort.We express our strong concern about transfers to Russia from businesses in the People’s Republic of China of dual-use materials and weapons components that Russia is using to advance its military production. This is enabling Russia to reconstitute and revitalize its defense industrial base, posing a threat both to Ukraine and to international peace and security. China should ensure that this support stops, as it will only prolong this illegal war of aggression in violation of the UN Charter and increase the threat that Russia poses to its neighbors.We reiterate our condemnation of the Belarusian regime’s complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine. We express our continued concern over the regime’s continuing repression of independent media, civil society, and of opposition and citizens that peacefully express their views. We also condemn the ill-treatment of political prisoners and ask for their immediate and unconditional release.There can be no impunity for war crimes such as attacks against civilians and critical civilian infrastructure, humanitarian workers, deportation of Ukrainians, including forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, or grave and serious violations of children’s rights and conflict-related sexual violence. Those responsible for crimes, which are of concern to the international community, will be held to account consistent with international law. We welcome initiatives to address Russia’s   unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.We firmly reject the Russian authorities’ baseless attempts to blame Ukraine for the tragic terrorist attack near Moscow on March 22, which was claimed by ISIS. We call on Russia to stop using this tragedy in its disinformation efforts against Ukraine. We remain steadfast in our fight against terrorism, as illustrated by several G7 countries continuing to share information with Russia on this issue.We will not relent from holding those responsible for Alexei Navalny’s death accountable, including by continuing to impose restrictive measures and other appropriate actions in response to human rights violations and abuses in Russia. We condemn the Kremlin’s systematic repression of dissenting voices, and we call on Russia to release all political prisoners.
- G7 Italy 2024 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Situation in the Middle East Office of the SpokespersonThe text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union. Iran We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel of April 13-14, which Israel defeated with the help of its partners. This was a dangerous escalation, as Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.We also condemn the Iranian boarding and seizure, in breach of international law, of the Portuguese flagged merchant vessel MSC Aries by armed personnel, which occurred while the merchant vessel was sailing near the Strait of Hormuz. We call for the immediate release of the vessel, its crews and cargo.Israel and its people have our full solidarity and support and we reaffirm our commitment towards Israel’s security. Iran’s actions mark an unacceptable step towards the destabilization of the region and a further escalation, which must be avoided. In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end.We call on all parties, both in the region and beyond, to offer their positive contribution to this collective effort.We call on Iran to refrain from providing support to Hamas and taking further actions that destabilize the Middle East, including support for Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors.  Iran’s continued provision of arms and related materiel to the Houthis in violation of UNSCR 2216 and to other non-state actors in the region are dangerously increasing tensions. We call on all countries to prevent the supply of components or other items to Iran’s UAV and missile programmes.We demand that Iran and its affiliated groups cease their attacks. We will hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilizing actions and we stand ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures, now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.We reiterate our determination that Iran must never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. We urge Iran to cease and reverse nuclear escalations and to stop the continuing uranium enrichment activities reported by IAEA in the framework provided by UNSCR 2231 that have no credible civil justification and pose significant proliferative risks. Tehran must reverse this trend and engage in serious dialogue, returning to full cooperation with the IAEA to enable it to provide assurances that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. We support IAEA’s monitoring and verification role regarding Iran’s nuclear-related obligation and commitments and express strong concern about Iran’s current lack of cooperation with the Agency.We are extremely concerned by reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia.  We call on Iran not to do so, as it would represent a substantive material escalation in its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond in a swift and coordinated manner, including with new and significant measures against Iran.We reiterate our deep concern over Iran’s human rights violations and abuses, especially against women, girls and minority groups, and in light of the first report issued on March 8 by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission established by the Human Rights Council, which said that certain violations against “Women, Life, Freedom” protestors amounted to crimes against humanity.We strongly reject Iran’s targeting and arbitrary arrest of dual and foreign citizens and call on Iran’s leadership to end all unjust and arbitrary detentions. We condemn Iran’s harassment, intimidation and plots to kill perceived dissidents and opponents of the regime overseas, including journalists and religious figures, as well as the targeting of Jewish individuals and institutions.Conflict in Gaza We condemn in the strongest terms the brutal terrorist attacks conducted by Hamas and other terrorist groups against Israel that began on October 7, 2023. In exerting its right to defend itself, Israel must fully comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. Hamas must release all hostages immediately and unconditionally. We continue to press for the full investigation of the horrific reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas and other terrorist groups and for perpetrators to be held accountable.We deplore all losses of civilian lives and note with great concern the unacceptable number of civilians, including thousands of women, children and persons in vulnerable situations who have been killed in Gaza. We call for urgent action to address the devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly the plight of civilians throughout the territory. We reiterate our opposition to a full scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population. We reiterate our call for a credible and actionable plan to protect the civilian population there and address their humanitarian needs. We are deeply concerned by the internal displacement within Gaza and the risk of forcible displacement from Gaza. Israel must act in compliance with its obligations under international law and treat individuals humanely and with dignity, and should thoroughly and transparently investigate credible allegations of wrongdoing and ensure accountability for any abuses or violations.We underscore the urgent need for specific, concrete, and measurable steps to significantly increase the flow of aid into Gaza in light of imminent risk of famine for a majority of Gaza’s population.  We urge the rapid implementation of steps announced by the Government of Israel including the commitment to expand flow of aid through existing land crossings, opening new land crossings, and facilitating aid to northern Gaza where humanitarian needs are most acute, including by opening more routes into Gaza.  We welcome efforts to establish a maritime corridor to further increase the flow of much-needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza, in coordination with the United Nations. We reiterate that such corridors must complement and not be a substitute to expanded and sustained assistance flows by land.Securing full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access in all its forms remains an absolute priority. We call on Israel to do more to ensure protection of international and local humanitarian aid workers, journalists, and Palestinian civilians, to improve humanitarian deconfliction, including communications, and to pursue full accountability, as appropriate, for incidents of harm against aid workers and civilians.  We call on all parties to allow the unimpeded delivery of aid, including food, water, medical care, electricity, fuel, shelter, as well as facilitate the restoration of basic services and ensure access for humanitarian workers. All parties must protect civilians, especially those most vulnerable, particularly women, children, and people with disabilities, consistent with international humanitarian law.Since the onset of the crisis, the G7 has been among the largest providers of assistance to the affected population in Gaza. We reiterate our intention to continue doing so and we call on all our partners to strengthen their efforts. We welcome the initiative “Food for Gaza” launched by Italy together with FAO, WFP and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society), aimed at better meeting the urgent demand for food security and primary health of the population.We recognize the crucial role played by UN agencies and other humanitarian actors in delivering assistance. UNRWA has a vital role in the Gaza humanitarian response. We welcome the swift decision by the UN Secretary General to initiate an immediate investigation on UNRWA to provide full transparency on the serious allegations against its staff and to appoint an independent review group also in view of the implementation of the needed reforms. We agreed it is critical that UNRWA and other UN organizations and agencies’ distribution networks be fully able to deliver aid to those who need it most, fulfilling their mandate effectively.We call for an immediate release of hostages and a sustainable ceasefire that allows for a surge of the urgently needed humanitarian assistance to be delivered safely throughout Gaza. In this context, we strongly support the ongoing mediation efforts undertaken by the United States and regional partners to that aim, respected by all parties, leading to a sustainable cessation of hostilities, in order to facilitate the immediate return of all hostages, a surge of assistance and for the urgent implementation of UNSC resolutions 2712, 2720, and 2728. Hamas’ refusal to release hostages is only prolonging the conflict and the suffering of civilians.We welcome the new Palestinian Authority cabinet and remain ready to support the Palestinian Authority as it undertakes the reforms that are indispensable to enable it to take up its responsibilities in the aftermath of the conflict, in both Gaza and the West Bank.We are also working, including by imposing sanctions and other measures, to deny Hamas the ability to raise funds to carry out further atrocities. Likewise, we will also continue our work to fight against the dissemination of terrorist content online.All parties must refrain from unilateral actions that undermine the prospect of a two-state solution. We are concerned by rising levels of settlers’ violence. Extremist settlers responsible for violent acts against Palestinian communities must be brought to account.A viable solution to the conflict can only be the result of a coordinated regional effort. We remain committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on a two-State solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel and the Palestinians. We call for upholding unchanged the historic status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem. We concur that the final territory of a Palestinian state should be defined through negotiations based on 1967-lines. We note that the recognition of a Palestinian state, at the appropriate time, would be a crucial component of that political process.We are working intensively – along with partners in the region – to prevent the conflict from escalating further. We are particularly concerned by the situation along the Blue Line. We recognize the essential stabilizing role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in mitigating that risk. We urge all involved to exercise restraint and to work toward de-escalation.We oppose all discrimination and violence based on religion or belief and we call for effective protection of all members of religious minority groups. We strongly reject all forms of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea We condemn the attacks perpetrated by the Houthis against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and the navy ships protecting them. We are greatly concerned by the deaths of three innocent mariners aboard the True Confidence and the sinking of the Rubymar, which created a navigational hazard and a serious environmental threat. We call for the immediate release by the Houthis of the Galaxy Leader and its crew, seized on 19th November 2023. In line with UNSCR 2722, we reiterate our support for countries that exercise the right to defend their vessels from attacks, in accordance with international law. We also call for continued international involvement in close cooperation with the United Nations and coastal states, as well as with regional and sub-regional organizations to prevent further escalation with possible multidimensional consequences.We welcome the continued efforts of the EU maritime operation “Aspides” and of the U.S.-led operation “Prosperity Guardian” along with UK and 10 other countries to protect these crucial shipping lanes.We are concerned by the hindrance to the transit of energy supplies, raw materials and other commodities through the Red Sea. The countries most negatively affected by the Houthis’ attacks include those in the region. Maritime security and navigational rights and freedoms are critical to ensuring free movement of essential commodities to destinations and populations all over the world. This includes delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to more than half the population of Yemen and to Sudan and Ethiopia.Yemen We express great concern for the situation in Yemen, notably for the humanitarian conditions of the Yemeni civilian population. Yemeni parties must allow safe, rapid, and unimpeded access to all those in need, halt requirements that restrict women’s freedom of movement and impede delivery of humanitarian aid, and remove obstacles to the delivery of assistance, notably to the most vulnerable. All parties must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.We reiterate our strong support to the United Nations and to UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg for his efforts to resolve the conflict in Yemen.We welcome the understanding reached in December 2023 between the Presidential Leadership Council and the Houthis that included a commitment on a set of measures to implement a nation-wide ceasefire and to improve living conditions in the country. We urge all involved parties and in particular the Houthis to engage in good faith in preparations for an inclusive political process in consultation with civil society and under UN auspices.We call for accountability for human rights violations, including grave violations of children’s rights, and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.Syria   We remain committed to a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254, and we fully support the mandate of the UN Special Envoy, Geir O. Pedersen. We call on the Syrian regime to engage meaningfully with the UN-facilitated political process to achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis and national reconciliation. Normalization, reconstruction and lifting of sanctions would only be considered in the framework of a credible inclusive and enduring political process consistent with UNSC resolution 2254. Stability and peace in Syria cannot be achieved without the enduring defeat of Daesh. As members of the Global Coalition against Daesh we are committed to ending Daesh’s presence in Syria.We remain committed to advancing justice for victims and accountability for all actors responsible for violations of international law in Syria, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We reiterate our condemnation of the use that the Syrian régime has made of chemical weapons in Syria. We continue to urge the Syrian regime to comply with its obligations under UNSCR 2118 and the Chemical Weapons Convention and to eliminate its chemical weapons programme completely and verifiably.We continue to call for the immediate release of all civilians arbitrarily detained and to clarify the fate of those forcibly disappeared. We support the work of organizations such as the Commission of Inquiry and the International Independent and Impartial Mechanism, which document the crimes perpetrated in Syria. We stand ready to support the newly established UN Independent Institution for Missing Persons in Syria.We will continue to support the Syrian people through humanitarian assistance to meet their needs, including early recovery assistance and measures fostering resilience, and demand that the regime facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to all Syrians, including through UN cross-border humanitarian assistance, for which there is no alternative. We remain grateful to regional countries for continuing to host Syrian refugees, and we call upon the Syrian regime to create the conditions for voluntary, safe, and dignified refugee returns.The upcoming Eighth Brussels Conference on the Future of Syria and the Region is important in maintaining a high level of engagement and mobilisation of the international community in this regard.
- Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba Office of the SpokespersonThe below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Capri on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The two discussed the situation on the battlefield and Ukraine’s progress — in coordination with Allies and partners — as it pursues its goal of greater Euro-Atlantic integration. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia’s ongoing brutal aggression, including the recent attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and called on Congress to pass the president’s supplemental funding request without delay.
- Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Before Their Meeting Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateCapri, ItalyGrand Hotel QuisisanaSECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good morning, everyone, and as always, it’s very good to see my friend and colleague Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine.  This is a critical time for Ukraine.  Its people have fought incredibly bravely to defend their country, to recapture territory seized by Russia since February 2022, and, at the same time, to work to build a strong country for the future – a strong country militarily, economically, and democratically.But in this moment, it is urgent that all of the friends and supporters of Ukraine maximize their efforts to provide with – Ukraine what it needs to continue to effectively defend itself against this Russian aggression.  And in particular for the United States, that means passing the supplemental, the extra budget request that the President has made for Ukraine that we now hope will be before the House this weekend.And I would just remind the profound stakes that the United States has in Ukraine’s success.  If Putin is allowed to proceed with impunity, we know he won’t stop at Ukraine, and we can safely predict that his aggression will continue.  Other would-be aggressors around the world will take note and unleash their own aggressions, and we will have a world of conflict, not a world of peace and security.And for the United States, the contributions that we’ve made, that our taxpayers have made so generously, have been more than matched over these past two years by European partners, Asian partners, and others – more than 50 countries around the world supporting Ukraine.  And, of course, virtually all of the supplement budget requests that are being asked will go into defense production in the United States, building our own defense industrial base and helping to provide good jobs in the United States.So for us in this moment, it’s imperative that we continue to deliver on our support, just as European and Asian partners, including those here at the G7, are doing the same.Dmytro.FOREIGN MINISTER KULEBA:  Thank you.  We are seeing each other against the background of another devastating attack.  Yesterday, there were three Russian missiles targeting Chernihiv, a city – big city near Kyiv: 18 dead, 78 wounded.  And the tragedy is that these kind of attacks happen almost every day in Ukraine.  This is the reality that we live in. And while it is true that the war consists of millions of details, the one and the only issue on my agenda here at the G7 ministerial is air defense.  And for obvious reasons, the role of the United States in the matter of air defense is fundamental.  I would like to personally thank you, Secretary Blinken, for your leadership and your sincere commitment to helping Ukraine.  The recent decision of Germany to provide Ukraine with another battery of Patriots, a U.S. technology, is deeply appreciated, but we all remember that it wouldn’t be possible without the support of the United States in making that decision happen.So we will work here at the ministerial to make other allies deliver air-defense systems to Ukraine, because it’s of fundamental importance.  And in this regard, I would also like to call on the members of the House to support the supplemental that will literally, without exaggeration, help save Ukrainians from Russian missile slaughter.  This is a matter of death and life for thousands of people, and in a broader sense, it’s a matter of Ukraine’s survival in this struggle against much stronger enemy.I don’t think any other country in the world would be capable of fighting against Russia, country of this size and influence and military potential.  But with the support of our friends – and first and – and mostly the United States of America – we have proven that we can deliver and we can defeat the strongest enemy.  The key issue is consistency and sustainability of support.  It’s about human lives, it’s about land, but even more so, it’s about the future of the world we live in.  Thank you.
- Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Tajani Office of the SpokespersonThe below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Capri and thanked him for Italy’s leadership of the G7 during its presidency. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Tajani condemned Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel. They discussed shared concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the urgent need to protect civilians, the response to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and the importance of preventing further escalation in the Middle East. They also discussed efforts to increase support for Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.
- Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to Expand Collaboration on Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to Expand Collaboration on Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to Expand Collaboration on Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation																																		Remarks																														April 17, 2024																																							SECRETARY BLINKEN:&nbsp; Let me just say I think – to our colleagues here, first, we are so grateful to have what I believe is the closest partnership we’ve ever had between the United States and Italy where we’re working together on all of the most critical issues of our time, whether it’s helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, dealing with the challenges of conflict in the Middle East, having a shared approach to some of the challenges posed by China, working together to address the needs and aspirations of people in the global majority countries.&nbsp; All of this and so many more things bring us together, and Italy’s leadership – whether it’s the G7 or on all of these issues – is what’s making a real difference.&nbsp; We’re grateful for that.&nbsp; President Biden deeply appreciates his partnership with Prime Minister Meloni, and we appreciate our partnership with Italy.This memorandum of understanding that we just signed goes to one of the critical challenges that our countries and other democracies are facing, which is the increasing use of misinformation and disinformation to try to destabilize our democracies.&nbsp; By working more closely together, Italy and the United States can more effectively deal with this challenge.&nbsp; That’s what this MOU is all about.FOREIGN MINISTER TAJANI:&nbsp;&nbsp;(Via translation)&nbsp;We are pleased that we have signed with the United States this memorandum to combat disinformation.&nbsp; There are non-democratic countries that use fake news to create confusion within democratic countries such as the United States, Italy, and inside the EU, and also to influence elections.&nbsp; Now Italy like the whole European Union is preparing to vote for the renewal of the European Parliament.&nbsp; We do not want any conditioning of our citizens through fake news, using social media or even AI, to influence their vote.Democracy is valuable; we want to defend it.&nbsp; We want our citizens to be free, and this memorandum is a memorandum that defends the freedom of opinion.&nbsp; We do not want our citizens to be conditioned by fake news and for their vote to be distorted because it is influenced by baseless news.It is a shared obligation, because great democracies like the United States and Italy have the right and the duty to defend the freedom of their citizens.&nbsp; This is most of all a battle for freedom, and when you are not free to decide, your freedom falls apart.&nbsp; It is an attack on democracy and that is what our adversaries want.We face a confrontation between democracies and autocracies.&nbsp; Autocracies do not need to call elections and influence their citizens because they impose the truth of their regime.&nbsp; We are free, and we want every citizen to form their own opinion.&nbsp; Citizens should form their opinions through objective facts, not because they arrive at opinions through fake news in social media that pushes them to make choices that they would never make.&nbsp; Thus the importance to work together, to exchange information among democratic states.I repeated this today.&nbsp; For us, the transatlantic relationship is the polar star of our foreign policy, like the relationship with European Union.&nbsp; We want to continue to work with the United States as well in such an important sector.&nbsp; We are defending the founding principles of the G7, NATO, and the transatlantic relationship.						Tags																					Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs																																Disinformation																															Italy																								Office of the Spokesperson																																Secretary Trip																															The Secretary of State
- Italy HomeReportsBureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices&#8230;Italy				hide	document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {	if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}});																							2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Italy																																					Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																																																																																							Download Report																																																							Translations																																																																 In this section										/																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																																													EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																															Section 1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																																									a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																																											b. Disappearance																																																																											c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																																			Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																																																		d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																																			Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																																																		e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																																			Trial Procedures																																																								Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																																																																																		f. Transnational Repression																																																																											g. Property Seizure and Restitution																																																																											h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																																																	Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																																									a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																																			Internet Freedom																																																																																																																		b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																																											c. Freedom of Religion																																																																											d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																																											e. Protection of Refugees																																																																											f. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)																																																																											g. Stateless Persons																																																																																	Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																																									Elections and Political Participation																																																																																	Section 4. Corruption in Government																															Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																															Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																																									Women																																																																											Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																																											Children																																																																											Antisemitism																																																																											Trafficking in Persons																																																																											Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																																											Persons with Disabilities																																																																																	Section 7. Worker Rights																																																									a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																																											b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																																											c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																																											d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																																																											e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																																																																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY				There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Italy during the year.Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: serious restrictions on freedom of expression including criminal libel laws and violence or threats of violence against journalists; crimes involving violence and threats of violence targeting members of national, racial, and ethnic minorities, including some immigrant and Romani communities; crimes, violence, and threats of violence motivated by antisemitism; and crimes involving violence or threats of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex persons.The government took credible steps to identify, investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses.																														Section 1.													 Respect for the Integrity of the Person												    																																																a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings										There were no reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings.																																				b. Disappearance										There were no reports of disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities.																																				c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses										The constitution and law prohibited such practices. Prosecutors filed criminal charges against prison authorities alleged to have engaged in torture or illegal treatment or punishment.In November 2022, a trial began of 105 Santa Maria Capus Vetere prison guards accused of beating prisoners who protested for more masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to protect against COVID-19 in March 2020. In October 2022, prosecutors opened another investigation of 41 police officers related to the same incident. Associazione Antigone (AA), a domestic nongovernmental organization (NGO) that reports on the human rights of prisoners, filed complaints with prosecutors for episodes of alleged mistreatment.On May 24, four Milan police officers were filmed beating a transgender individual whom they had arrested. Municipal authorities disciplined the officers, and public prosecutors opened investigations into three of them.On June 6, a Verona court ordered the arrest of five police officers accused of torture, injury, and other crimes against homeless persons and asylum seekers in detention. The press reported that police were allegedly responsible for racist insults, death threats, and violence.																Prison and Detention Center Conditions						Prison and detention centers were at times overcrowded. NGOs and media reported cases of mistreatment of prisoners.Abusive Physical Conditions: Prison populations in Brescia, Como, and Lodi exceeded 170 percent of capacity.According to a May report by AA, only 60 percent of cells for female inmates and 47 percent for male inmates had a shower. Additionally, the report highlighted improper treatment of mentally ill detainees. AA reported that lack of access to physical activity for inmates contributed at times to mental health problems.On March 24, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) released a report on visits to four prisons and nine police stations in the country conducted in 2022. The CPT received accounts of inter-prisoner violence and intimidation and allegations of ill-treatment by prison staff.Administration: Authorities investigated credible allegations of mistreatment.Independent Monitoring: In addition to periodic visits by the CPT, the government permitted independent human rights organizations, parliamentarians, the national and regional ombudsmen of detainees, and media to visit prisons and detention centers. The government also provided access to migrant and refugee detention centers to representatives of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the European Asylum Support Office, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Italian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and Save the Children.																										d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention										The constitution prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. The government generally observed these requirements.																Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees						To detain an individual, police needed a warrant issued by a public prosecutor, unless they caught a perpetrator in the act or there was a specific and immediate danger to which a police officer was responding. The law required authorities to inform a detainee of the reason for arrest. If authorities detained a person without a warrant, an examining prosecutor had to decide within 24 hours of detention whether there was enough evidence to validate the arrest. An investigating judge then had 48 hours to affirm the arrest and recommend prosecution. In cases of alleged terrorist activity, authorities could hold suspects up to 48 hours before bringing the case to a magistrate. The government generally respected these rights and processes.There was no provision for bail, but judges could, and often did, grant detainees provisional liberty while awaiting trial. The government provided a lawyer to indigent persons at its expense. The law required authorities to allow a detainee to see an attorney within 24 hours of his or her arrest, or within 48 hours for cases of suspected terrorist activities. Access to an attorney could take up to five days under exceptional circumstances if the investigating judge needed to interrogate the accused concerning organized crime or if the judge foresaw a risk the attorney might attempt to tamper with the evidence.																										e. Denial of Fair Public Trial										The constitution provided for an independent judiciary, and the government generally respected judicial independence and impartiality. There were isolated reports of judicial corruption and politically motivated investigations by magistrates.																Trial Procedures						The constitution provided for the right to a fair and public trial, and an independent judiciary generally enforced this right.Judiciary experts reported foreign detainees were occasionally unable to access free interpretation or translation services in a timely manner.Domestic and European institutions criticized the slow pace of the judicial process. The Ministry of Justice reported that the period between a criminal suspect being charged and the start of the corresponding penal trial dropped from an average 211 days in 2021 to an average of 180 days in 2022. It took an average of 815 days for a case to arrive at the court of appeals from the time of the initial indictment.						Political Prisoners and Detainees						There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees.																										f. Transnational Repression										Not applicable.																																				g. Property Seizure and Restitution										The government-established Ansemli Commission, a technical body with the mandate to investigate the confiscation of Jewish assets during the Holocaust and evaluate government restitution efforts, in the past recommended the government actively identify survivors and heirs entitled to unclaimed property, but the government had not acted on this recommendation. The commission reported that survivors who claimed assets generally received them back.In July, the government allotted €61 million ($57.9 million) to reimburse Italians recognized as victims of the Third Reich by German courts. Further implementation procedures were outstanding.The Department of State’s Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act Report to Congress, released publicly in July 2020, can be found on the Department’s website:  https://www.state.gov/reports/just-act-report-to-congress/.																																				h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence										The law prohibited such actions, and there were no reports that the government failed to respect these prohibitions.																																					Section 2.													 Respect for Civil Liberties												    																																																a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media										The constitution provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, and the government generally respected this right. An independent media, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression, including for media members.Libel/Slander Laws: The law criminalized defamation and libel with penalties ranging from fines to three years in prison. Courts seldom imposed criminal penalties. On March 23, a Florence court rejected former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s €200,000 ($190,000) compensation request from the newspaper Corriere della Sera for an allegedly libelous article. The court stated that, “the requested amount of money had a blatant and unjustified purpose of deterrence” and ordered Renzi to pay €16,000 ($15,200) to the publishing company and its employees.Nongovernmental Impact: The national association of journalists reported more than 250 journalists were victims of intimidation and under police protection, including 22 who received around-the-clock protection, a figure corroborated by the NGO Reporters Without Borders. The NGO further reported significant hostility towards journalists with serious threats or murder attempts from criminal groups – mostly in Rome and the south – necessitating police protection.Police reported 46 cases of intimidation against journalists between January and June, down from 64 during the same period in 2021. The government believed organized criminal groups were responsible for four of the incidents.The independent news outlet Ossigeno reported an increase in the total number of journalists, bloggers, and media operators who were victims of threats from 384 in 2021 to 721 in 2022.On January 15, several demonstrators assaulted journalist Jari Pilati while he was filming a demonstration organized by an anarchist group and stole his smartphone.On July 25, Syracuse prosecutors opened an investigation against former Sicilian regional councilor Giuseppe Gennuso, two journalists, and another person, who were accused of having plotted a campaign against journalist Paolo Borrometi. Borrometi published investigative reports on organized crime and received threats from criminal groups.																Internet Freedom						The government did not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content.																										b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association										The constitution and law provided for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights.																																				c. Freedom of Religion										See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report at  https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/.																																				d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country										The law provided for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights.																																				e. Protection of Refugees										The government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to refugees, returning refugees, or asylum seekers, as well as other persons of concern.Access to Asylum: The law provided for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government has established a system for providing protection to refugees.By September, 133,617 persons had entered the country by sea, compared to 71,790 during the same period in 2022. The increase affected the ability of authorities to provide housing and other services to asylum seekers. NGOs and independent observers identified difficulties in asylum procedures, including inconsistencies in the application of standards in reception centers and insufficient referral rates of trafficking victims and unaccompanied minor children to appropriate and adequate services.Refoulement: Italian authorities sometimes cooperated with the Libyan coast guard to seize vessels carrying persons in Libyan waters and return them to Libya. Civil society, including UNHCR, did not consider Libya a “safe country” due to the absence of a functioning asylum system and widely reported difficulties faced by refugees and asylum seekers in Libya including the lack of protection from abuses, the lack of durable solutions, and a heightened risk of trafficking for those forced to remain in Libya or returned to Libyan shores.Freedom of Movement: The law permitted authorities to detain asylum seekers in identification and expulsion centers for up to 120 days if authorities decided they posed a threat to public order or believed they might flee from a deportation order or predeportation jail sentence.Access to Basic Services: UNHCR, IOM, and other humanitarian organizations and NGOs reported refugees were living in abandoned, inadequate, or overcrowded facilities in Rome and other major cities. They also reported these persons had limited access to health care, legal counseling, basic education, and other public services. Many refugees working in the informal economy could not afford to rent apartments, especially in large cities. NGOs claimed the government provided limited services aimed at young men, who traditionally made up the majority of new arrivals and who in many cases did not request support from local authorities.Durable Solutions: The government offered refugees resettlement services, while both the government and the IOM assisted refugees who opted to return to their home countries.Temporary Protection: The government provided temporary protection to asylum seekers and refugees. UNHCR noted that as of September 1, the government reported 167,525 refugees from Ukraine in the country.																																				f. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)										Not applicable.																																				g. Stateless Persons										According to the NGO Associazione 21 Luglio, fewer than 800 Romani stateless persons lived in the country in 2022, mostly children. The law provided citizenship to any child born in the country to two stateless individuals, both of whom must have obtained formal recognition of stateless status. Otherwise, Italian citizenship would not be conferred upon the child at birth, and the child would be born stateless. The law provided that individuals formally recognized as stateless could request to become naturalized citizens after five years of legal residence in the country.																																					Section 3.													 Freedom to Participate in the Political Process												    																						The law provided citizens the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on universal and equal suffrage.																										Elections and Political Participation										Abuses or Irregularities in Recent Elections: National and international observers considered elections fair and free of abuses and irregularities.																																					Section 4.													 Corruption in Government												    																						The law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implemented the law effectively. There were isolated reports of government corruption.Corruption: According to the national anti-corruption authority, an increase in public expenditure increased the risk of corruption in the implementation of public projects receiving funding. National and local government promoted a series of preventive measures, including the adoption of a code of conduct, staff rotation, norms on whistleblowing, transparency, and training. On June 22, police arrested former director of the customs agency Marcello Minenna and former Member of Parliament Gianluca Pini and opened an investigation of another 32 persons in a corruption probe regarding the supply of facemasks to Emilia Romagna regional authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.																											Section 5.													 Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights												    																						A variety of domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction to monitor or investigate human rights conditions or cases and publish their findings. Government officials were often cooperative and responsive to the views of these groups.Government Human Rights Bodies: The National Office to Combat Racial Discrimination under the Department of Equal Opportunity in the Prime Minister’s Office assisted victims of discrimination. The Interministerial Committee for Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Senate’s Human Rights Committee focused on international and high-profile domestic cases.																											Section 6.													 Discrimination and Societal Abuses												    																																																Women										Rape and Domestic Violence: The law penalized convicted perpetrators of rape of either gender, including spousal rape, with six to 12 years in prison. The law criminalized the physical abuse of women, including by family members, and provided for the prosecution of perpetrators of gender-based violence and for assistance in shielding from publicity women who experienced gender-based violence. The government effectively enforced the law. Judicial protective measures for domestic violence allowed for an ex parte application to a civil court judge in urgent cases. A specific law on stalking included mandatory detention for acts of sexual violence, including by partners.The Department of Equal Opportunity operated a hotline for survivors of gender-based violence seeking immediate assistance and temporary shelter. It operated another hotline for those experiencing stalking.Other Forms of Gender-based Violence or Harassment: On February 7, police arrested in Stresa a Bangladeshi man suspected of having kidnapped and mistreated his daughter who had refused an arranged marriage in Bangladesh.Discrimination: The law provided the same legal status and rights for women as for men, and those laws were generally respected. The government enforced laws prohibiting discrimination in all sectors of society and the economy. The law did not allow women to remarry within 300 days of divorce or annulment to prevent misattributed paternity. Women could request a waiver from a court after proving they were not pregnant.The law prohibited discrimination with respect to employment and occupation based on gender (including pregnancy). Women workers had special protection in case of pregnancy and maternity. The government effectively enforced applicable law; however, there were reports of employment discrimination based on gender.Reproductive Rights: There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities. Emergency contraception methods were available. Independent observers and NGOs reported government health authorities did not provide sufficient resources to adequately supply the public with reproductive health services and counseling.The government provided access to sexual and reproductive health services for survivors of sexual violence. Emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis were available as part of clinical management of rape. NGOs reported in some cases government personnel were not sufficiently trained to identify survivors and refer them to the available sources of assistance.																																				Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination										Various laws sought to protect members of racial and ethnic minorities from violence and discrimination. The government generally enforced these laws. Discrimination against members of ethnic minorities, including Roma, Sinti, and Caminanti, remained a problem.The law prohibited discrimination with respect to employment and occupation based on race, national origin, color, ethnicity, and refugee or stateless status. The government effectively enforced applicable law; however, there were reports of employment discrimination based on race or ethnicity.The press and NGOs reported cases of incitement to hatred, violent attacks, forced evictions from unauthorized camps, and mistreatment by municipal authorities. The European Roma Rights Center reported Romani families living in informal camps were persistently evicted, disregarding international standards. Residents had no warning prior to eviction, and they did not receive formal eviction orders, making legal challenges difficult. Roma living in camps reported overcrowded housing (seven or eight persons per trailer, shack, or shipping container) and noted the camps were typically located on the periphery of a town or city and lacked easy access to government services, educational and employment opportunities, and public transportation. On July 8, the government approved a plan to close six authorized camps hosting 2,261 persons, of whom 45 percent were minor children, by 2026. Only 31 percent of Romani children ages six to 11 attended schools.																																				Children										Child Abuse: Abuse of children was punishable by six to 24 years in prison, depending on the age of the child. Child abuse within the family was punishable by up to seven years in prison. The government implemented prevention programs in schools, promptly investigated complaints, and punished perpetrators.Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: The minimum age for marriage was 18, but juvenile courts could authorize marriages for individuals as young as 16. Forced marriage was punishable by up to five years in prison, or six years if it involved a child. Forced marriage for religious reasons was also penalized.Sexual Exploitation of Children: Authorities enforced laws prohibiting child sexual exploitation, the sale of children, child sex trafficking (offering or procuring a child for commercial sex), and practices related to child pornography. Children were exploited in child sex trafficking, forced to commit crimes, or beg. Roma children were at risk for trafficking, including child sex trafficking, and “lover boy” gangs recruited girls in Eastern Europe, especially Romania, via social media and exploited them in Italy in child sex trafficking. Traffickers frequently targeted unaccompanied children who were especially vulnerable to trafficking.The minimum age for consensual sex was 14, or 13 if the age gap between the children was less than three years.																																				Antisemitism										There were approximately 27,000 Jews in the country. The law criminalized the public display of the Fascist stiff-armed Roman salute and the sale or display of Fascist or Nazi memorabilia. Convictions could result in imprisonment from six months to two years, with an additional eight months if they involved the selling of Fascist or Nazi memorabilia online. On June 27, the ministers of the interior and sports, the national coordinator to fight antisemitism, and the president of the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) signed a memorandum of understanding on preventing discriminatory incidents. Soccer teams committed to not assign jersey number “88” and accepted the interruption of matches in case of antisemitic chants and slogans. On April 4, FIGC authorities suspended the fan bloc for the Rome-based Lazio professional soccer team for one match after they chanted antisemitic slurs at opposing fans during a March 19 game against crosstown rival Roma.Antisemitic societal prejudices persisted. Some extremist fringe groups were responsible for antisemitic remarks and actions, including physical violence against Jews, vandalism of Jewish-owned business and synagogues, and publication of antisemitic material on the internet.Internet hate speech and bullying were the most common forms of antisemitic attacks, according to the Center of Contemporary Jewish Documentation. Most incidents occurred during Jewish holidays or celebrations. Antisemitic slogans and graffiti appeared in some cities, including Milan, Florence, and Chieti. More than 2,000 police officers regularly guarded synagogues and other Jewish community sites in the country.For further information on antisemitism incidents, whether or not those incidents were motivated by religion, and for reporting on the ability of Jews to exercise freedom of religion or belief, please see the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report at  https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/ http://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/.																																				Trafficking in Persons										See the Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.																																				Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics										Criminalization: The law did not criminalize consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, cross-dressing, or other sexual or gender characteristic-related behaviors.Violence and Harassment: NGOs advocating for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons reported instances of societal violence, discrimination, and hate speech.The press reported cases of violence against LGBTQI+ individuals. Discrimination and violence against lesbian and bisexual women occurred. On June 13, four persons assaulted a lesbian couple, mutilating the ear of one individual.On September 29, university professor Massimo Arcongeli, a member of the LGBTQI+ community, denounced death threats and insults he received following his criticism of a book considered homophobic.Discrimination: The law prohibited discrimination by state and nonstate actors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, and explicitly recognized LGBTQI+ individuals, couples, and their families. The government enforced the law. The law did not punish discrimination in other sectors such as education and housing and incitement to commit violence on the same ground. Same-sex couples had the right to civil unions but could not adopt children, and the government, acting pursuant to a 2022 decision by the highest appellate court, did not register nonbiological parents of children in the civil register (regardless of the nonbiological parent’s sexual orientation). In June, some lesbian families began receiving notices nonbiological parents were being removed from their children’s birth certificates. The law permitted stepchild adoption, including for same-sex couples.According to 2022 statistics from the Italian National Statistics Institute, 33.3 percent of LGBTQI+ employees surveyed reported discrimination due to their sexual orientation. Of those, 44.6 percent reported hearing slurs, 42.1 percent harassment, 40.7 percent exclusion from work meetings and conversations, 20.2 percent verbal or written threads, and 16.6 percent losing job duties.By July the website Gay Help Line received approximately 20,000 calls and online messages, 42 percent of which concerned discrimination and violence against self-identified gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals within their families after coming out and 15 percent of which concerned discrimination against transgender individuals. According to Gay Help Line, in 2022 only 10 out of 400 young homosexuals forced to leave their homes had shelter in a protected community. Approximately 11 percent of requests for help involved cases of discrimination in the workplace; 15 percent concerned cases of workplace harassment, blackmail, and “revenge porn;” 19 percent concerned assaults; and 15 percent concerned bullying.Availability of Legal Gender Recognition: Legal gender recognition was available, but individuals had to petition a court with jurisdiction over the matter. Self-determination was not allowed. An individual could petition for gender-affirming surgery or, where surgery was not desired, for a legal name change and gender-marker update. In deciding such cases, courts considered gender dysphoria and irreversible identification with the perceived gender. The petition had to include psychodiagnostic and medical documentation attesting to the path of gender affirmation, irreversible willingness to rectify legal sex, and definitive and irreversible identification with the experienced gender.Involuntary or Coercive Medical or Psychological Practices: The law did not ban so-called conversion therapy practices. There were no reports of forced or involuntary so-called conversion therapy practiced on adults or minors to try to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Likewise, there were no reports of surgeries performed on nonconsenting intersex persons.Restrictions of Freedom of Expression, Association, or Peaceful Assembly: The law did not restrict freedom of expression, association, or peaceful assembly for LGBTQI+ individuals.																																				Persons with Disabilities										The constitution and the law required authorities to provide access to education, health services, public buildings, and transportation to persons with disabilities on an equal basis. The government enforced these provisions effectively, but there were incidents of societal and employment discrimination. Although the law mandated access to government buildings and public transportation for persons with disabilities, physical barriers continued to pose challenges, and government information was not always provided in an accessible format.On March 31, the Court of Cassation ruled that labor contracts recognizing the same number of days of paid sick leave to all employees were discriminatory for persons with disabilities. The case regarded a street cleaner fired for being on sick leave for more days than provided by the applicable collective labor contract in 2018.																																					Section 7.													 Worker Rights												    																																																a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining										The law provided for workers to form and join independent unions, bargain collectively, and conduct legal strikes. Antiunion discrimination was illegal, and employees fired for union activity had the right to request reinstatement. The law provided for members of the armed forces to establish independent unions.By law, strikes impacting essential public services (such as transportation, sanitation, and health services) required longer advance notification than in other sectors; the law also prohibited multiple strikes within days of each other in those sectors. The law only allowed unions that represented at least one-half of the transit workforce to call a transit strike.The government effectively enforced applicable laws protecting freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the right to strike for workers. The penalties were commensurate with those for analogous crimes or violations. Penalties were regularly applied against violators. On March 1, the Council of State struck down temporary rules adopted in 2018 limiting strikes in public services such as transportation on the grounds that they were too restrictive.The government generally respected freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively, although there were instances in which employers unilaterally annulled bargaining agreements. Employers continued to use short-term contracts and subcontracting to avoid hiring workers with bargaining rights.																																				b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor										See the Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking in-persons-report/.																																				c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment										The law prohibited all of the worst forms of child labor and included a minimum age for employment, including limitations on working hours, and occupational safety and health restrictions for children. The minimum age for employment was 16 and applied to children working in all sectors. The government effectively enforced applicable laws in the formal economy, but enforcement was not as effective in the informal economy. Penalties were commensurate with those for analogous serious crimes, and violations were regularly applied against violators.Children between the ages of 16 and 18 were limited to working eight hours per day or 40 hours per week. The law provided for the protection of unaccompanied foreign children and created a system of protection that managed children from their arrival in the country until they reached the age of 21 and could support themselves. Traffickers continued to target unaccompanied children. Children were forced to commit crimes, beg, or work in the agricultural sector, shops, bars, restaurants, or bakeries.																																				d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																														e. Acceptable Conditions of Work										Wage and Hour Laws:  The law did not provide for a minimum wage.  Instead, collective bargaining contracts negotiated between unions and employers set minimum wage levels for different sectors of the economy.  These minimum wages were above the poverty income level.  Unless limited by a collective bargaining agreement, the law provided a 40-hour workweek.  Alleged violations of wage, hour, or overtime laws were more common in the agricultural and service sectors.Occupational Safety and Health:  The law set occupational safety and health (OSH) standards that were generally appropriate for the main industries in the country.  OSH experts from government institutions proactively identified unsafe situations through inspections and responded to OSH complaints.  In general, if documentation was provided, workers could remove themselves from situations that endangered health or safety.Alleged violations of OSH standards were more common in the agricultural and service sectors.Migrant workers in the agricultural sector sometimes faced unsafe work conditions, including working outdoors for prolonged periods of time in extreme temperatures and receiving wages below contractual requirements.  In July, the government approved a decree to help families and businesses hit by extreme climate events.  The decree included provisions allowing construction and agricultural firms to use wage-supplement funds for employees unable to work due to heatwaves without those hours being counted towards existing maximum limits for temporary furloughs.Wage, Hour, and OSH Enforcement:  The government effectively enforced minimum wages as set by collective labor contracts, overtime, and OSH laws.  Penalties for violations were commensurate with those for similar crimes, such as fraud or negligence, and were regularly applied against violators.The Ministry of Labor and Social Policies was responsible for enforcement of wage, hour, and OSH laws.  Labor inspections were jointly conducted by representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies, the National Institute for Social Security, the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, and the Carabinieri.  The number of labor inspectors was sufficient to enforce compliance, and inspectors had the authority to make unannounced inspections and initiate sanctions.To prevent violations, particularly against vulnerable groups, the government continued to conduct random inspections, investigate alleged violations, and conduct public awareness campaigns.The estimated size of the informal sector was 11.2 percent of total employment in 2021, the latest estimate from the International Labor Organization.  Informal sector workers were covered by wage, hour, OSH, and other labor laws, and the government provided social protections for informal economy workers.  Due to the nature of the informal economy, however, the government was limited in its enforcement of laws and provision of protections, especially in the agricultural, construction, and service sectors.																																				    							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Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																							a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																						b. Disappearance																																																						c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																				Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																				d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																				Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																				e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																				Trial Procedures																																												Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																																																				f. Transnational Repression																																																						g. Property Seizure and Restitution																																																						h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																			Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																							a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																				Internet Freedom																																																																																				b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																						c. Freedom of Religion																																																						d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																						e. Protection of Refugees																																																						f. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)																																																						g. Stateless Persons																																																			Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																							Elections and Political Participation																																																			Section 4. Corruption in Government																Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																							Women																																																						Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																						Children																																																						Antisemitism																																																						Trafficking in Persons																																																						Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																						Persons with Disabilities																																																			Section 7. Worker Rights																																							a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																						b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																						c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																						d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																																						e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																									Tags																					Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																								Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs																								Italy