This week the Italian government has sent for approval to the Senate amendments to laws regarding immigration that are discriminatory, racist and downright abusive of Human Rights. Under the guise of ‘national security’, the Italian government has launched a public rhetoric of intolerance and xenophobia against refugees, asylum seekers and ‘unauthorised’ entrants.

The main points of these amendments are a clear attack at human decency, morality and justice. Below is a brief summary:

* Unauthorised entry into the country becomes a crime punishable by a fine between 5-10,000 Euros. Also liable for prosecution are individuals who do not report any ‘clandestine’ activities, thus introducing a mandatory reporting system for ‘unauthorised’ entrants.
* Entrants without permit can be detained for up to 180 days before being deported.
* Citizen associations or vigilantes can be formed to report activities and maintain security
* Children born in Italy from unauthorised entrants can not be registered, thus becoming invisible and open for adoption. For many observers this measure has the potential to create another ‘stolen generation’ situation.
* Property owners that offer rent or sojourn to unauthorised entrants face up to three years imprisonment.
* An affront to a public officer is punishable with up to three years imprisonment.
* The names of people without a fixed address must be entered into a national registry.

Already many national and international organisations, political groups, churches and Human Rights advocates have declared their opposition to such draconian laws. However, the Italian government has chosen to ignore calls against their actions stating that such organisations and groups are not representatives of the people they represent, claiming, in fact, that the government action is driven by the calls and concerns of their constituencies, therefore, they are responding to the apprehension of the average men and women of Italy.

On this note, I would like to invite concerned individuals, the ‘average’ men and women everywhere, to register their disdain and opposition to these excessive and discriminatory measures by sending messages of condemnation to the appropriate bodies, institutions and organisations.

As a suggestion messages of condemnation can be sent to:
www.governo.it
www.italianmedia.com.au
http://radio.sbs.com.au/language.php?language=Italian
www.italy.embassy.gov.au

Messages of condemnation can also be sent to any Human Rights organisation, the UN or social justice associations and groups.

Thank you for taking the time to read this appeal and for any action you may wish to take on this important matter.

Kind regards,

Nic Borgese