Emergency launches petition for war conscientious objection law in Italy

The humanitarian organization Emergency has launched a signature collection campaign to promote a popular initiative law in Italy titled “Io obietto la guerra” (I object to war). The goal is to gather 50,000 signatures to present the proposal to Parliament.

The proposed law seeks to establish a legal right to conscientious objection to war for all citizens. This would allow individuals to refuse to provide their bodies, labor, or consent to war-related activities without facing sanctions or punishment. Crucially, the scope extends beyond military service to include professional activities related to the design, production, trade, and movement of weapons and war instruments.

Under the proposal, every municipality would establish a “War Objection Registry,” allowing citizens to declare themselves conscientious objectors. For men aged 17 to 45, such a declaration would also serve as an objection to military service. The initiative argues that such protections are essential given the recent increase in armed conflicts and the growing role of the arms industry in international politics.