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Italy adopts controversial immigration law
[Iran Press TV Latest] Italy has adopted a controversial law against illegal immigration, including a measure allowing citizens to mount their own patrols. Under the new law, illegal immigration becomes a criminal offence; anyone caught housing an illegal immigrant could face jail; and parents registering a baby's birth have to present papers to show they are legal residents. Perhaps the most controversial part of the legislation, passed on Thursday, is that it permits "citizens groups" to mount patrols on the lookout for public order offences. After objections that they would be little more than vigilante groups, the local authorities said that they would monitor their activities, AFP reported. Parents will also have to present their passport or residency permit when they declare the birth of a child, which some critics have warned could lead to a generation of "invisible" children growing up outside the system. During its slow passage through parliament, the opposition denounced the measures as reminiscent of Italy's Fascist era. The new law would "deprive children of their most basic rights," said Raffaele Salinari, the president of the Italian branch of Terre des Hommes, a campaign group dedicated to protecting the rights of children. While other European countries have not actually criminalized illegal immigration, several, including France and Greece, have adopted similar measures. Posted by: Fred 2009-07-03 |
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