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Group hits Italy's tough immigration rules that could affect Pinoys |
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31 Julio 2008
GMA Broadcasting Network
MANILA, Philippines - The Council of Europe, the region’s top human rights watchdog, criticized Italy’s new immigration rules, which could affect thousands of Filipinos illegally staying in the country. In a statement released on Tuesday, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, said that Italy’s new immigration measures “lack human rights and humanitarian principles and may spur further xenophobia."
The Associated Press (AP) reported last week that as a response to street crimes that were often being blamed by Italians on foreigners, the country’s parliament passed a bill that toughens rules on illegal immigration.
The report said the measure that was approved with a wide margin from the Senate included “increasing jail sentences by a third for offenders who are also illegal immigrants and expelling any foreigner who has been sentenced to more than two years in prison."
The report also said that the measure makes it a crime to rent an apartment to illegal immigrants.
Hammarberg criticized the decision to criminalize the entry and irregular stay of migrants. “These measures may make it more difficult for refugees to ask for asylum and is likely to result in a further social stigmatisation and marginalisation of all migrants - including Roma," he said.
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