Tolerance

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees called Italy to put an end to the expulsion of immigrants from Libya that were intercepted on the Mediterranean Sea back to their country, reports Associated Press. The UN is concerned that these people could be subjected to a prison sentence in Libya. The High Commissioner placed all the responsibility for such incidents on the Italian authorities.

Remember that the number of illegal immigrants to Italy grows each year. To counter the illegal entry the government tightened the legislation and in July 2008 a state of emergency was introduced in the whole country to counter illegal immigration.

Earlier this month the lower house of the Italian Parliament approved a bill according to which illegal entry and stay in the country is considered as a crime. Now the bill is pending in Senate. If it is adopted, there will be a fine of five to ten thousand Euros for illegal entry and stay in Italy.

At the same time the bill does not provide punishment of imprisonment for illegal immigrants, however for citizens of the country who give housing to migrants the bill provides up to three years of imprisonment.

Source: www.rbc.ua