Abstract

Torture is a crime against humanity. The word «torture» can bear its meaning only within the semantic field of public power. Through the history of its international legal prohibition, this article aims at proving that torture can only be committed by State authorities. The article also intends to illustrate the Italian political debate on torture criminalization since 1948. For almost thirty years, Italy has not complied with the un Convention Against Torture. Only very recently the Italian Parliament approved a law introducing the crime of torture in the national criminal code. However, the kind of offence determined by the new law is vague and unclear, also owing to the explicit pressure by law enforcements. The criminal offence created by the legislator is not shaped by the principle of taxativity. Consequently, the role of judges and commentators will be crucial for taking back the offence in its natural normative and philosophical field.