Amnesty International, in its annual human rights report, expressed concern about the introduction of new immigration laws in Italy, which are contained in a new package of security measures, the Italian news agency ANSA reports. According to Amnesty International, "those who flee from war, upon arriving in Italy, risk being charged with a crime and also spending up to 18 months in a temporary detention center for illegal immigrants" before being deported to their home country.
The day before, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a package of measures concerning security in the country. In particular, one of the bills, which subsequently must be approved by the national parliament, provides for the reclassification of illegal immigration as a crime. If an immigrant is illegally present in Italy and commits a crime, their illegal status will be considered an aggravating circumstance.
As reported by RIA Novosti, Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni had previously stated that temporary detention centers for immigrants should be opened in each of the country's regions. Currently, only ten such centers are operating in Italy. The minister emphasized that he does not consider them prison facilities. According to him, "this is merely a place of temporary stay during identity verification and before departure from Italy."
The new centers will be set up in barracks buildings and other state premises in various regions of the country. Their equipping will take several months.