Victims and defence rights: criminal lawyers challenge Italy’s constitutional reform
Italy’s Union of Criminal Chambers has called a nationwide abstention from criminal hearings and judicial activities for 23–27 November 2026, subject to its self-regulation code and the applicable exceptions.[1]
The resolution dates from 12 November: this edition revisits an announced mobilisation, not a strike that began today.[1]
It concerns constitutional revision proposal A.C. 2197-B, which the association asks the Chamber of Deputies not to approve at its second and final deliberation.[1]
## A dispute over the instrument
As described in the resolution, the proposal inserts the sentence “The Republic protects victims of crime” into Article 24, immediately after the recognition that defence rights are inviolable.[1]
The criminal lawyers say they share the objective of protecting victims but fear that this placement could be invoked to restrict defendants’ safeguards.[1]
Their document identifies challenging evidence, questioning witnesses against the accused, remaining silent and appealing convictions among the rights potentially at risk.[1]
This is the organising association’s assessment, not a court ruling declaring the reform unlawful.
Il Fatto Quotidiano’s report of 12 November confirms the protest dates and describes a proposal backed by very broad parliamentary support.[2]
The documented disagreement therefore goes beyond a simple government–opposition divide: it also concerns the relationship between political support for a principle and objections to its placement in the Constitution.[1][2]
## What the lawyers want instead
The UCPI calls for accessible and timely compensation, free psychological and social assistance and legal guidance, and resources to ensure proceedings conclude within a reasonable time.[1]
It also requests a meeting before the final vote and announces a national public event in Rome on the morning of 26 November.[1]
These are the organisers’ demands and announced plans, not funding already allocated or a parliamentary meeting already secured.
The political question is how to make protection effective without treating defence rights as an obstacle to justice. The lawyers’ resolution proposes assessing protection through services and the timeliness of the public response, rather than through a new constitutional formula alone.[1]
## Sources
[1] https://www.ordineavvocatinola.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Delibera-053_2026-11-12_Astensione-23_27-11-2026.pdf — ucpi
[2] https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/11/12/sciopero-camere-penali-tutela-vittime-costituzione-notizie/8569772 — fatto