Amnesty criticises new Italian immigration law
AFP
LONDON- Human rights group Amnesty International spoke out against a tough new Italian law against illegal immigration Friday, warning it could increase discrimination against groups like the Roma.
On Thursday, the senate -- Italy's upper parliamentary chamber -- approved the law which includes measures that make clandestine immigration a criminal offence and allow citizens to mount their own patrols.
"Should this become law, it would represent a threat for the human rights of migrants and asylum-seekers in Italy and might lead to increased discrimination against Roma and Sinti," said David Diaz-Jogeix, Amnesty's deputy director for Europe and Central Asia.
"President Napolitano has an opportunity to stop this law that could damage Italy’s human rights, with particular impact on the rights of migrants and asylum-seekers, and disproportionately affect the Roma and Sinti."
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