Feminicide Commission: report on electronic tagging approved unanimously

Rome, 29 April (LaPresse) – The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into Femicide and all forms of gender-based violence unanimously approved the report on ‘electronic tagging’ (drafted by the Chair, MP Martina Semenzato, and Senators Elena Leonardi and Cecilia D’Elia) during today’s plenary session. The Commission conducted a series of detailed and technical hearings (specifically, seven witnesses were heard), with five written submissions and some materials filed under confidentiality. The report confirmed the importance of electronic tagging as a means of protecting victims, particularly from crimes of gender-based, domestic and violence against women. The inquiry, according to a statement, provides a detailed snapshot of how the devices operate and the measures taken to address critical issues thanks to recent legislative action. However, it remains essential for the judge to correctly assess the risk of lethality when entrusting the victim’s protection to measures other than pre-trial detention in prison, even when the conditions justifying its application are met. Four key areas: improvements to the operation of electronic tagging devices; speeding up procedures; prioritising the investigation of malfunctions; organisational and technological updates. Sixteen detailed recommendations, including: providing adequate and detailed information to the victim regarding the operation and limitations of the electronic tag; establishing a pre-alert zone; increasing the number of devices that can be activated monthly; utilising a Centralised Operations Room capable of sorting alerts; and introducing ‘National Guidelines’ for law enforcement agencies, to name but a few.