College students renew their support and demand «Al adaala li Giulio» (“Truth for Giulio” in Arabic)
For the past eight years, January 25th has held significant meaning for the UWC community. The day is marked by the abduction of Giulio Regeni in Cairo in 2016 and his subsequent discovery, bearing signs of torture, on February 3rd. Giulio, an alumnus of UWC USA, has thus became a symbol for truth and justice, embodying the ongoing struggle against human rights violations.
On Thursday evening, a delegation of over twenty individuals, including students and staff from the College, joined the “yellow people” of Fiumicello Villa Vicentina, Giulio’s hometown where he resided before his time in New Mexico. Here, he completed his high school education at the United World College of Montezuma, remaining engaged with the UWC movement as a volunteer for the Italian National Selections Committee.
In Fiumicello, an annual program of events unfolds every year on January 25th under the theme “Giulio continues to do stuff.” The day began with activities in local schools centred on “The road of dreams – the right to dream,” featuring participation from the Youth Government, a body Giulio once led as mayor. In the evening, participants gathered for the “All knots come to the comb” flash mob and the “Walk for rights,” a silent torchlight procession through the city streets, after a minute of silence at 7:41 pm, the time of Giulio’s last text message on January 25, 2016.
At the skating rink, the event “Words, images and music for Giulio” unfolded, featuring voices from the “yellow people,” including poignant reflections shared by four students from our College alongside those of an Egyptian friend. One student described Giulio as an inspiration, prompting reflection on the world’s possibilities, fostering hope for a better future, and inspiring tangible action. The evening also included interventions from notable figures such as Lella Costa, Marco Damiano, Roberto Fico, Ottavia Piccolo, and Pif, alongside supportive statements from public figures and advocates for justice.
Amidst the commemorative events, a sense of anticipation and hope lingers, anchored to a forthcoming date that may signal a turning point. Following a prolonged hiatus due to the unavailability of the accused, the recent ruling by the Italian Constitutional Court has set February 20th as the commencement of the trial for the four Egyptian secret service agents implicated in Giulio’s abduction, torture, and murder. After years of tireless advocacy, Paola Deffendi and Claudio Regeni, Giulio’s parents, emphasise that their pursuit of truth and justice transcends personal matters, resonating as a broader call for human rights and accountability both in Italy and beyond.
