Italian lawmakers pass controversial security law

Associated Press ,  Rome   |  Thu, 07/02/2009 10:05 PM  |  World

The Italian parliament gave final approval Thursday to legislation that allows unarmed citizen patrols and imposes tough measures aimed at fighting illegal immigration and boosting security on the streets.

The legislation calls for jail terms for people who house illegal immigrants and lengthens the amount of time migrants can spend in detention.

It has drawn the criticism of center-left politicians and human rights groups. Amnesty International said the measures "affect negatively the vulnerable people in the country" and "heavily impinge on the rights of migrants."

The conservative government of Premier Silvio Berlusconi insists the measure will increase security, a key electoral promise. Many Italians link crime to illegal immigration, and the government has taken a tough stance against both.

The new legislation makes entering or staying in Italy without permission a crime punishable by a fine of euro 5,000-euro 10,000 (US$6,840-$13,670). Migrants would not face prison, but the legislation allows up to three years in prison for anyone who knowingly rents housing to an illegal immigrant at the time a lease is signed or extended.

The package also lengthens the amount of time migrants can spend in detention from two to six months. It allows citizen patrols to help increase security in Italian cities and towns - a measure critics say paves the way for vigilante justice.

Adding to such fears was the recent creation of a right-wing patrol group billing itself as the Italian National Guard, whose uniforms bore Fascist and Nazi-like symbols. After the group announced it would soon start patrolling the streets, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni promised that any right-wing patrol that can be associated to Fascist and Nazi-era guards would not be permitted as a citizen patrol.

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