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[excerpts]

Constitution of the Italian Republic

December 27, 1947

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Art. 17

Citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and unarmed.

No previous notice is required for meetings, even when in places open to the public.

For meetings in public places previous notice must be given to the authorities, who may forbid them only for proven motives of security and public safety.

Art. 18

Citizens have the right to form associations freely, without authorization, for ends which are not forbidden to individuals by criminal law.

Secret associations and those which pursue, even indirectly, political ends by means of organizations of a military character, are forbidden.

Art. 19

All have the right to profess freely their own religious faith in whatever form, individual or associate, to propagate it and to exercise it in private or public cult, provided that the rites are not contrary to morality.

Art. 20

The ecclesiastical nature and the purpose of religion or worship of an association or institution may not be a cause for special limitations in law, nor for special fiscal impositions in its setting up, legal capacity and any of its activities.

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Art. 39

Trade union organization is free.

No obligations can be imposed on trade unions other than registration at local or central offices, according to the provisions of the law.

A condition for registration is that the statutes of the trade union confirm the democratic basis of the internal organization.

Registered trade unions are legal persons. They may, through a representative unit proportional to their members, enter into collective labour agreements having mandatory effect for all persons belonging to the categories referred to in the agreement.

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Art. 50

Al1 citizens may present petitions to both Houses to request legislative measures or to express collective needs.

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