The CIDU (Inter-Ministerial Committee for Human Rights) is part of the organic framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the annual awards ceremony at the Ara Pacis in Rome on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, awards Pietro Turano (spokesperson for Gay Center) an award for his commitment to the rights of LGBTQI+ people. Present were Undersecretary Della Vedova, the Honorable Boldrini, Ministers Roberto Speranza and Elena Bonetti, the Farnesina Special Envoy Fabrizio Petri, and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Diana Mijatovic, as well as many other institutional representatives.
“I thank the CIDU for its work, which maintains a high level of awareness of human rights within institutions. But when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, unfortunately, this isn't the time for awards or celebrations. It's time for a collective soul-searching and accountability.” Turano declared while addressing the honorary committee.
“Parliament has recently chosen to trample, once again, on a bill against homotransphobia and the work that we, the associations and you, the groups within the institutions, carry out together and in parallel every day to protect all those rights that are still not recognized in our country. Therefore, my award is above all for my colleagues who every day answer the Gay Help Line or welcome boys and girls at LGBT Refuges and all family homes, because we respond to the lack of rights with services. I thank the representatives of ministries and institutions for choosing to recognize my commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, to which I respond with full willingness, inviting you to meet with us and discuss these issues concretely, beyond the prizes which unfortunately—in the face of political failure—have been worthless. May this day be a testament to a determination that will be crowned with action, so that Italy is no longer among the last countries in Europe in terms of rights.” Turano continued.