Italy increases fine for damage to cultural heritage – 01/18/2024 – Environment

Following a series of climate protests, Italy’s parliament approved this Thursday (18) a law that introduces stricter penalties for those who damage monuments and cultural sites.

In recent months, environmental activists in Italy have thrown paint at or vandalized monuments, buildings and works of art, including Rome’s Trevi Fountain, Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio and Milan’s La Scala Opera House.

The project, dubbed the “eco vandals law”, provides for fines of up to 40 thousand euros (R$ 214 thousand) for those who vandalize monuments, increasing to up to 60 thousand euros (R$ 321 thousand) if cultural heritage is destroyed.

Currently, fines range from 1,500 to 15,000 euros (R$8,042 to R$80,422).

The law also stipulates that the Ministry of Culture can use money raised from fines to clean and repair damaged monuments.

“Today is a beautiful day for Italian culture, and in particular for the nation’s artistic and architectural heritage,” Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, the reform’s main supporter, said in a statement.

The text was approved by the Chamber of Deputies with 138 votes in favor and 92 against.

The legislation is the latest example of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s ultra-right government’s strict approach to law and order. Measures have already been implemented against juvenile offenders, irregular immigrants and rave party organizers.

Climate activists, who are calling on governments to stop using fossil fuels and tackle global warming, have been staging similar protests across Europe. Other recent targets have been the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and famous paintings in London and Vienna.