1985

The RP and PSI (Italian Socialist Party) hold a joint conference on the improvement and enactment of the law against death from starvation. Maurice Wilkins, winner of the Nobel Economics Prize, is among the speakers. The Radicals find the Decree-Law inadequate, and announce new initiatives.

3 FEBRUARY - Italy - "Conscientious affirmation"

The RP Federal Council approves a motion supporting the initatives of Gaetano Dentamaro and Olivier Dupuis for "Conscientious affirmation".

8 FEBRUARY - Belgium: Brussels - "Conscientious affirmation"

Olivier Dupuis holds a press conference in Brussels, during which he states that he did not present himself at the army camp for military service on 4 February as he was supposed to have done, and he refuses to do either military or civilian service in Belgium, in order to found a "Conscientious affirmation" movement in the twelve countries of the EEC. He also stresses the need to establish a European defence system and civilian service, which would be committed to fighting hunger and the real threats to security.

12 FEBRUARY - Italy - Hunger, Nonviolence

Giovanni Negri begins another hunger strike for the approval of an effective law for emergency measures against death from starvation, to put an end to the contentiousness and delays impeding its passage.

6 MARCH - Italy: Rome - Hunger

The law against hunger is finally approved. It envisages the realization of integrated programmes in various sectors in one or more underdeveloped areas characterized by an endemic state of emergency and high mortality rates; and it is intended to save as many people as possible, who would otherwise be condemned to die from starvation. The budget allotted to the emergency actions is 1,900 billion lira. The law provides that the programmes, for which the appropriate undersecretary of State will be responsible, must be realized within 18 months.

Although welcoming this political victory, the Radicals are nevertheless critical of the law because of the changes made to the methods to be applied and to the necessary budgets.

RP Secretary Negri and his fellow Radicals end their 21-day hunger strike.

12/15 MARCH

Negri and Pannella are invited by the President of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara, to meet with him and various ministers in Ouagadougou. At a press conference they issue a warning of an imminent drought without precedent in the sub-Saharan zone. (LBTV)

19 MARCH - Belgium: Brussels - European Union

Radicals demonstrate outside the European Council to obtain decisions regarding the European Union. The Draft Treaty was approved by the EP a year ago, but the report necessary to begin the modifications to the existing treaties has not yet been discussed.

29 MARCH - Brussels

Another Radical demonstration, with MEPs Emma Bonino and Roberto Cicciomessere, at the entrance to the European summit, for the adoption of emergency measures against famine in Africa.

7 APRIL - Italy: Rome - Dying of Hunger

Easter March organized by PARIFA.

22 APRIL - Italy: Rome - Hunger

Adele Faccio, Secretary of the Association Against Death from Starvation, begins a hunger strike, together with other activists, that was to last for 21 days, that is, until Francesco Forte is appointed undersecretary of State for the action against hunger.

MAY - Food and Disarmament International

Emma Bonino, Radical MEP, is elected Secretary General of Food and Disarmament International, and Jean Fabre is made President.

12 MAY - Italy: Rome - Antimilitarism, Hunger

Radical conscientious objector Gaetano Dentamaro, a fugitive for a number of months after refusing to do his military service, gives himself up at his local polling station "to establish in Europe a defence, peace and disarmament policy, starting with the survival of those destined to die from starvation, and with the defence of human rights...".

18 MAY - Italy: Rome - Antimilitarism

Demonstration for European norms on conscientious objection and civil consciousness at Forte Boccea, the military prison where Dentamaro is being detained.

30 MAY - Italy: Rome - Antimilitarism

Dentamaro is released on parole. The next day he receives an order to present himself at La Spezia to sign on for military service.

2 JUNE - Italy: Rome

Antimilitarist demonstration at the altar in front of the monument to Victor Emmanuel II (commemorating the Unknown Soldier), during which Dentamaro is stopped and taken to La Spezia. He is released after two days, having been granted the status of "conscientious objector" after writing to the Italian Minister Spadolini.

6 JUNE - European Community - Conscientious Objection

Signatures are collected on a petition to the European Parliament to obtain an EC directive to bring into line national legislation on conscientious objection.

3 JUNE - Strasbourg: European Parliament

A resolution addressed to the upcoming EEC summit in Milan, urging that emergency measures be taken against drought and famine in Africa, is approved.

29 JUNE - Italy: Milan - European Union

A large protest march, held by federalists and Radicals in the streets of Milan on occasion of the European summit, ends in front of the Cathedral. MEPs Pannella, Cicciomessere and Italian television personality Enzo Tortora also take part. They ask that the decisions taken by the European Parliament regarding the European Union be respected.

The European Council decides to summon an intergovernmental conference to "to strengthen political integration and to invest the institutions with greater power".

1/5 JULY - Africa: Sahel - Hunger

The alarming news that the Niger river is drying up only confirms what Radicals denounced months previously. It is the worst drought in 80 years. The Notizie Radicali (Radical News) agency provides a day-by-day account of the disaster. Radical parliamentarians call for an extraordinary debate in the Chamber of Deputies. The UN Secretary in Geneva also requests aid for Africa.

10-11 JULY - Luxembourg - Antimilitarism

International conference on conscientious objection and - "Conscientious affirmation" - organized by the Radical Group at the European Parliament. Objectors from the European Community (Germany, Greece, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, France and Italy) affirm their right to contribute to national security with non-military action.

JULY EP: Strasbourg - Antimilitarism

A petition is presented asking for an EC directive to bring into line the legislation of Member States on conscientious objection. Signed by 27,000 citizens from all EEC countries, the petition is delivered to Lady Ellis, Vice-President of the European Parliament, by Olivier Dupuis, Secretary of the RP Federal Council.

5/6 AUGUST- Eastern and Western Capitals - Antimilitarism, Hunger

Radical activists unfurl banners and distribute leaflets in memory of Hiroshima in Washington, Moscow, Warsaw, Budapest, Prague, East and West Berlin, Belgrade, Athens, Ankara, Brussels, Paris, Rome and Madrid,

They ask for emergency measures against hunger and laws governing conscientious objection/action. In Paris, Brussels, Belgrade, Moscow, Prague and East Berlin the demonstration is swiftly curtailed by the police, while in Ankara the Radicals are arrested and interrogated for hours.

Praga

Varsavia

Belgrado

Berlino

Budapest

Mosca

Bruxelles

Madrid

9 AUGUST - Italy: Rome - Hunger

On the 40 ^th anniversary of the nuclear holocaust, a demonstration is held at the Capitol against a holocaust caused by hunger. Speeches are made by Emma Bonino, Secretary of Food and Disarmament International, and Nobel Medicine Prize winner George Wald. Thousands of people participate.

SEPTEMBER - Yugoslavia - Yugoslavia, Entry to EEC

Half a million fliers and stickers for Yugoslavia’s entry into the EEC and for freedom of speech are distributed by Italian, French and Belgian Radicals in Belgrade, Dubrovnik and Zagreb. They are arrested, tried and deported a few days after the event.

6 OCTOBER - Italy: Perugia/Assisi - Antimilitarism, IV March

The RP supports and participates in the March, also calling for a reduction in military spending.

9 OCTOBER - Belgium: Brussels - Antimilitarism, Nonviolence

During a demonstration outside the European Commission, Olivier Dupuis, advocate of "Conscientious affirmation" and deserter, gives himself up to the police after being at large for several months. (425, Numero unico , 8376 CP)

27 OCTOBER - Italy: Florence - Antimilitarism

A demonstration in boats on the River Arno: large floating letters form slogans calling for the release of Dupuis, campaigner for conscientious objection/action.

28 OCTOBER - Belgium: Brussels - Antimilitarism

Olivier Dupuis stands trial for the first time. He is sentenced to one year in prison.

30 OCTOBER - 3 NOVEMBER - Italy: Florence - XXXI RP Congress

The motion proposes reintroducing the subject of hunger in Italy and Europe; accepting the invitation to Altiero Spinelli’s Congress to succeed in drawing up the new European Union treaty; relaunching the campaign for "Conscientious affirmation" with a view to obtaining an EEC directive on the laws governing conscientious objection.

Motion approved

DECEMBER - Luxembourg - European Union

The Intergovernmental conference ratifies Spinelli’s Single European Act (SEA).

Only minor revisions are made to the treaties, crushing all hopes of institutional reforms capable of restructuring the European Union.

The one positive decision is that of creating the single internal market by 31 December 1992.

5 DECEMBER - Italy: Rome - Human Rights, Bulgaria

Demonstration in support of the Filipov family, divided by the Bulgarian authorities who refuse to allow the married couple to leave the country.

Other protests in various Italian localities would follow during the month.

DECEMBER - Human Rights

Antonio Stango, member of the Radical Secretariat, meets and interviews dissidents Lech Walesa, Sinoviev and Leonid Pliusc, in Poland and Paris. (NR no. 22/1986)

16 DECEMBER - Italy: Rome - Antimilitarism, Media

Publication of the fanzine "in Galeeera" (in Cliiiink) (NR no.280 insert)

25 DECEMBER - Italy: Rome - Hunger

Christmas March