He punches them out
“Rights are not granted; you must fight for them,” says Nicola Canestrini, summarizing his credo. The lawyer thrives on the adrenaline of the courtroom.
(automatic translation of My interview October 2023 in the 4/23 FF Journal https://www.ff-bz.com/gesellschaft-wissen/2023-04/er-boxt-sie-raus.html)
Fighting for Everyone: Activists, Refugees, and Even SS Veterans
Whether representing environmentalists, sea rescue activists, or SS soldiers, Canestrini defends them all with an approach akin to boxing. He navigates the courtroom as if it were a boxing ring, delivering blows where they are most needed.
Last December, on his way back from Ukraine, Canestrini saw “Fortress Europe” firsthand at the Polish border. Towering fences, drones, dogs, and heavily armed guards stood ready to repel refugees. Meanwhile, his phone buzzed with news of a bomb alert in a city he had just left, where he had been working with colleagues on the case of a Ukrainian conscientious objector.
The contrast was stark. While his colleagues rushed to safety in basements, Canestrini reflected on his privilege. “Is this the Europe of human rights that I always speak about?” he thundered. His voice rising, he shifted from rage to contemplation, stroking his beard.
A Legacy of Advocacy
Sitting in his office in Rovereto, surrounded by papers and Michel Foucault’s writings, Canestrini’s environment mirrors his life’s work. A black bulletproof vest labeled “Lawyer” from his time in Ukraine lies in one corner, while an orange life jacket from the “Iuventa” rescue ship occupies another. The Iuventa crew, having saved over 14,000 lives at sea, now faces charges of facilitating smuggling—a claim based on flimsy evidence, as Canestrini argues in court.
Fighting Power in Every Form
Canestrini has defended a range of clients, from activists like the Iuventa crew to eco-activists in pesticide trials and even a Nazi involved in the 1944 Marzabotto massacre. His principles—fundamental rights, the presumption of innocence, and the rule of law—remain unwavering.
Born into a legacy of legal advocacy, Canestrini comes from a family of partisans and lawyers. His great-grandfather founded the family law firm in 1870. His father, a prominent Communist lawyer, defended South Tyrolean activists in the 1960s.
Despite his admiration for his father’s principles, Canestrini avoids politics. “I practice politics in the courtroom and as a lawyer outside of it,” he says, rejecting offers for political roles and criticizing the lack of ideals in modern parties.
Boxing and the Courtroom
A former boxer, Canestrini compares the discipline of the sport to his courtroom battles. “Boxing is about rules and loyalty,” he says, traits he values but finds lacking in judicial processes. For him, stepping into a courtroom provides the same adrenaline rush as entering a boxing ring.
Despite his frustrations with the legal system, Canestrini continues to fight tirelessly for justice, driven by a deep sense of purpose and integrity. His approach is unyielding: if the system won’t protect rights, he will.