EU rules on illegal migrants anger human rights groups

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: EuroActiv

After almost three years of tedious negotiations with member states, the European Parliament yesterday (18 June) endorsed new EU-wide rules on returning illegal immigrants back to where they came from. But tough clauses, including permitting the detention of people for up to 18 months before their expulsion, have infuriated human rights groups.

The stakes were high at the plenary vote. If certain last-minute amendments put forward by a number of Socialist MEPs had acquired a majority, the delicate compromise acheived just two weeks ago by national governments and a majority of the political groups in the European Parliament would have been considered dead (EurActiv 17/06/08). This would have further delayed the introduction of EU-wide minimum rules by two or more years before a new compromise could have been reached, MEPs explained.

The vote is considered a significant step towards the establishment of a common EU immigration policy – a goal agreed at the Seville Council back in 2002. Two more directives are also awaiting approval by the Parliament: measures to promote legal immigration by skilled workers (the so-called 'Blue Card' directive) and another directive that would punish employers of illegal immigrants, thus discouraging clandestine work.

The European Parliament has already left a significant mark on the Returns Directive, succeeding in passing 73 amendments to the text originally proposed by the Commission in 2005. Key changes demanded by MEPs include the introduction of additional safeguards and limits to the use of coercive measures.





Read more: http://www.euractiv.com/en/mobility/eu-rules-illegal-migrants-anger-human-rights-groups/article-173477

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An open letter from Evo Morales to the European Parliament
http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/1878

[Judi Lynn]

1. Chavez threatens to stop oil exports over new EU immigration laws

Chavez threatens to stop oil exports over new EU immigration laws
1 hour ago

CARACAS (AFP) — President Hugo Chavez threatened Thursday to shut off oil exports to European countries that enforce tough new EU rules on illegal immigrants.

"Our petroleum should not go to these European countries" that apply the new laws, Chavez said at a press conference here.

Just as European nations could return undocumented immigrants to their country of origin, Latin American countries could also decide "the return of European investments," Chavez said.

"At least in Venezuela," he said. "We don't need them here."

Chavez said that his government would "review the investments that they (the Europeans) have here to see if we can also apply a 'return directive'."

The European Union adopted tough new rules Wednesday on illegal immigrants, allowing detention for up to 18 months prior to expulsion, and angering human rights groups.

More:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gzTdQJa5QuUXzPzjceuljGdeUr7w