Her comments came as she marked the centenary of the Socialist politician’s ‘death speech’ address to parliament denouncing the fraud and violence of Benito Mussolini’s taking of power in Italy.
It is considered the speech that led to his assassination.
“We are here today to commemorate a free and courageous man killed by Fascist thugs for his ideas,” she said at a ceremony in the House.
“Honouring his memory is fundamental to remind ourselves every day … of the value of freedom of speech and thought against those who would like to presume the right to establish what is permitted to be said and thought, and what is not.
“Matteotti’s lesson, today more than ever, reminds us that our democracy is such if it is founded on respect for others, on debate, on liberty, and not on violence.”
Matteotti, 39, on May 30, 1924, openly spoke in Italy’s Parliament alleging the Italian fascists committed fraud in the 1924 Italian general election, denouncing the violence they used to gain votes.
Eleven days later, he was kidnapped and killed by Fascists.
Mussolini subsequently took responsibility for the assassination and went on to dissolve parliament and assume dictatorial powers.
ANSA
