The Piazza del Popolo in Rome hosted a striking campaign against the proposed decriminalization of assisted suicide on November 4, 2025. Organized by the pro-life association ProVita & Famiglia, the event featured 200 empty wheelchairs adorned with rose-colored balloons. This powerful visual aimed to deliver a poignant message: “Non mi uccidere,” which translates to “Don’t kill me.”
Protest Against Assisted Suicide Legislation
The campaign highlighted concerns about Italy’s ongoing shift towards assisted suicide, which the group argues could undermine the lives of vulnerable populations, including the sick, disabled, and elderly. The advocates for this movement assert that instead of legalizing assisted suicide, the government should enhance care and support for these individuals.
Italy’s Legal Context
Current Italian laws mandate a prison sentence between six to 15 years for anyone causing the death of another person, even with consent. However, a significant modification occurred in 2019 when the constitutional court ruled that no penalties would be applied to those who assist in the death of a patient reliant on life-support and suffering from an irreversible condition.
This decision was influenced by the case of Marco Cappato, who faced trial for aiding DJ Fabo, a quadriplegic man, in pursuing assisted suicide in Switzerland in 2017. Following this, the Italian lower house passed a bill in 2022 which would allow individuals suffering from irreversible conditions to request medical assistance in dying. This bill has been under Senate consideration for three years, provoking debates and opposing perspectives.
Statistics on Health Care Access
- Only 33% of Italians entitled to palliative care are able to access it.
- In some Italian regions, access to palliative care drops to as low as 4-5%.
Expert Opinions and Concerns
During the demonstration, Massimo Gandolfini, a prominent figure in the Family Day movement, reaffirmed his stance against medically assisted dying. He expressed concerns over the trend in countries where such practices have been legalized, noting an increase in cases, including among young individuals suffering from depression.
Emanuel Cosmin Stoica, a writer and activist, also contributed his voice to the protest. He emphasized that during moments of greatest despair, society must provide support rather than an escape through suicide. Stoica urged for improved investment in care and mental health services to ensure that no individual faces suffering alone.
The campaign by ProVita & Famiglia encapsulates a broader moral and societal dilemma regarding assisted suicide in Italy. By using powerful imagery and personal testimonies, the organization advocates for compassion and care over what they perceive as a worrying trend toward acceptance of suicide as a solution to suffering.
